Veolia France & Arun Lakhani -Orange City Water

Orange City Water (OCW) will invest 18 million euros in the project to renovate the city’s six water production plants and repair the 2,500 km of network. The production capacity of the system managed by OCW will eventually be close to 750 million liters a day and leakage from the network, which is currently 60%, will gradually be lowered to international standards. This will be a first in India.

Arun Lakhani says India has vast prerequisite of Infrastructure building and development. The PPP route was established in last decade also saw some lean time. With New government initiative the PPP has again come with better risk sharing medium between private and public. Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited saw this opportunity and decided to have a model for 24×7 water supply. Orange City Water also popularly known as the Nagpur 24×7 Water supply along with Veoila France made this happen.

Vishvaraj Environment Pvt. Ltd. (VEL) is a subsidiary of Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd. (VIL), a transportation infrastructure development company from India. With a humble start over a decade ago with development of road project on BOT model, today VIL is successfully managing four concession contracts in transportation (road) sector and the fifth contract is under execution. Over this decade long journey, VIL has acquired knowledge to evolve systems in sectors where society at large is involved and all stakeholder’s interests need to be understood and addressed, ensuring a win-win situation for all, more so in a developing and culturally diverse country like India. VIL proposes to put to use this knowledge in few more sectors, water being a major focus area through its subsidiary Vishvaraj Environment. Vishvaraj Environment foresees a great opportunity for the private sector to participate in financing, building and maintaining urban water supply infrastructure projects and has geared itself to build the capacities for the future.

Veolia Water India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Veolia Water India Africa, which covers Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Veolia Water India Africa is 80.55% held by Veolia Water, with the remainder being held by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group institution in charge of operations with the private sector, and by PROPARCO, a subsidiary of the French development aid agency with a similar role. Veolia Water India Africa provides 3.16 million people with water and 1.42 million with electricity. It employs 2,191 people and offers partners its technical and managerial expertise to supply specific solutions in regions affected by water stress. Veolia Water, the water division of Veolia Environnement, is the world leader in water and wastewater services. Specialized in outsourcing services for municipal authorities, as well as industrial and service companies, it is also one of the world’s major designers of technological solutions and constructor of facilities needed in water and wastewater services. With 96,651 employees in 69 countries, Veolia Water provides water service to 103 million people and wastewater service to 73 million. Its 2011 revenue amounted to € 12.617 billion.

 

Orange City Water (Nagpur 24×7)

India has vast prerequisite of Infrastructure construction and growth. The PPP route was established in last decade also saw some lean time. Arun Lakhani the Chairman and Managing Director of Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited (VIL) has been a supporter of PPP model, and has established track record in Road and highways sector.  With Urban Infrastructure venture in Water, it is today the only Indian Utility with ongoing projects in Water distribution as well as Waste water treatment and Reuse. VIL India is also popular for the Orange City Water (OCW) project is a joint venture of Veolia Water India Pvt. Ltd., the World Leader in Water Business and Vishwaraj Environment Ltd., one of India’s leaders in the infrastructure development. Established in November 2011, the organization is particularly established for the execution of Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Uninterrupted Water Supply Scheme, popularly known as 24×7 Water Supply Scheme, under Central Government’s ambitious JnNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission).

We offer basic services to our customers throughout Nagpur and contribute to the fitness and wellbeing of the community. Our services involve planning, constructing, operating, treating, maintaining and distributing water resources throughout Nagpur. We always look forward to protect our surroundings from any health hazards. We are strong-minded and have a clear vision of every aspect. Looking at the future, we aim to provide 24×7 water supplies with minimum interruptions to the flow of water.

The Vision was to ensure 24×7 drinking water supply at optimum pressure and of good quality, at reasonable rate, to every citizen of the city of Nagpur while ensuring sustainable development and management of the Nagpur’s water resources. Orange City Water has been handling Nagpur city’s water operations since March 2012. It is responsible for water operations from raw water catchment till bill collection, all over Nagpur.

With a workforce of about 400 employees on roll and still counting, Orange City Water Pvt. Ltd. has become the best service provider of waterworks in Nagpur. Apart from the on roll employees a large team of outsourced employees is supporting the routine organizational work. The company delivers high-quality, necessary services to ensure the provision of safe, clean drinking water all over Nagpur. We meet our clients’ needs by nurturing local relationships that are conducive to sustainable water management.

 

Orange City Water is also managing the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Water Treatment Plants at Gorewada, all the Elevated Service Reservoirs, Ground Service Reservoirs, Master Balancing Reservoirs commonly known as Water Tanks. Apart from the above major on- site departments the organization is well equipped with a strong back office support with departments like HR, Finance, PR, Administration, etc. Considering the mammoth job the company has to manage, it is expanding its base in all the ways horizontally and progressing vertically.

The Nagpur 24×7 or OCW has made a tremendous impact on the lives of citizens of Nagpur with providing them with pressurized round the  clock water supply for all the zones of the city along with equitable distribution of water supply.

24×7 Water Supply A Dream Come True – Arun Lakhani

India receives total annual rainfall of about 4,000 billion cubic metres (BCM). After loss through evaporation etc., the total water availability is about 1,869 BCM. When you further discount topographical characteristics and hydrological constraints, the quantity of usable water is 1,123 BCM. The total availability is limited and is decreasing in direct proportion to the increase in population. According to UN data, From 5,177 cubic metres in 1951, when India’s population was 361 million, it is likely to fall to 1,140 cubic metres in 2050, when the population is projected to be 1,640 million. There is a water scarcity crisis that looms over us as we scrutinize the specifics and figures.

Out of 100 percent of usable water 80% is allocated for agricultural purpose remaining 12% and 8% proportionately shared between industrial and regular households consumption. The 20% water clearly does not look sufficient to meet the requirements of the industry and households. However, a closer look at the ground situation explains that the issue is not of scarcity but poor management and distribution of water. In the housing segment, a large portion of water is wasted because of sheer leakage in the existing water pipeline and only 70% of the total supply reaches household. The scarcity is further supplemented by low density of metering in the country leading to further limitation of funds required for basic infrastructure.

Similarly, on the industry front, it has been observed that the sector is drawing potable / ground water from rivers and other water bodies leading to further depletion of ground water levels. Providing safe drinking water, sanitation and good hygienic conditions are essential for human survival, health and dignity. Adequate and reliable water supplies and sanitation services are critical for coping with everyday urban life. Lack of access to adequate safe drinking water and sanitation causes severe health problems. Water-borne diseases –  such as dysentery, cholera and typhoid, caused by contaminated water; water-washed diseases such as skin and eye infections caused by insufficient water for personal hygiene and water-based or other water-related diseases such as malaria, bilharzias, elephantiasis and river blindness, related to exposure to unsafe water situations. Technology alone is not able to counter the water scarcity and contamination issue due to lack of skewed demography, knowledge and implementation.  It is now time to adopt the global best practices and deploy the latest technology to make the dream of 24×7 water supplies a reality.

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd (VIL India) , a pioneer in Water management and recycling made it a reality in Nagpur though India’s first pilot project making it possible for the residents of the city to avail 24×7 water supply. There are few pockets in India where the aspect of 24×7 running water facility management is implemented under the PPP model and is running successfully. The most heralded project under the 24×7 running water management in India has been at Nagpur city in Maharashtra.

Save

Save

Nagpur 200 MLD By Vishvaraj Infra (VIL INDIA)

Globally water companies are developing technologies and management systems to deal with challenges faced with water scarcity and sewage water treatment. Vishvaraj Infra (VIL INDIA) however understands that the Indian context is different and it needs solutions which are local, competitive and socially acceptable. We develop implementation strategies keeping local situation in viewpoint as water is a very sensitive subject in our country. For us, driving innovations, creating sustainability, technological advancements, environmental friendliness and people’s involvement are the key drivers for the company in this sector.

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd saw this as a community requirement and a industry break. In contrast the demand for fresh water is growing rapidly, estimated to go from 813 BCM today to 1,447 BCM by 2050, whereas the resource base remains constrained at 1,122 BCM. The industrial sector, which is one of the major users of fresh water, mostly puts fresh water to non-potable. Wastewater treated up to secondary level can easily be utilized for this purpose freeing up huge amounts of freshwater for domestic consumers. This can easily be achieved by improving the municipal wastewater collection, treatment and reuse thus not only recycling wastewater which is otherwise lost but also save the downstream water bodies from pollution. This is the win-win proposition of VIL’s model for the all the stakeholders, a unique example of creating value from waste whilst contributing positively to environmental sustainability.

Amongst the challenges thrown up by increased urbanization in India one of the bigger ones is massive increase in wastewater generation. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) estimates that about 80 percent of the water supplied for domestic use is discharged as wastewater. This pollutes the downstream areas as it enters untreated into these water bodies. Around 38,250 MLD of wastewater is generated by class I and class II cities in India, which is estimated to grow 3.5 times to 132,250 MLD by 2050. The current wastewater treatment capacity can handle only 30 percent of the total generation, out of which only 55 percent is operational. This translates to an investment gap of over USD 7 Billion for class I and class II cities by 2016-17. Nagpur 200 MLD STP Treatment and Reuse on PPP basis. Nagpur is 10th largest Indian city with 2.5 Mn populations; Population is expected to grow to 5 Mn in the next 25 years and 3rd largest and most industrialized city after Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra. The Objective is
Providing Sewage Treatment for 200 MLD and possible reuse by potential Customers in Nagpur. Features include: Option to sale the treated water with revenue share with Client, 100% capital investment by Operator and Annuity based payment post construction period.

Save

Nagpur 24×7 – Orange City Water Project (OCW)

Nagpur’s smart water management is an example for other cities across India. The first city to take the lead is Nagpur, Maharashtra. Now included in the smart cities list, it has inhabitants of over 2.5 million people and is the first city of its size in the nation to outsource water supply to a private operator under the PPP model for 25 years. Under the scheme the main objective was to provide 24-hour 100% safe drinking water to 100% population including slum dwellers within five years. The second objective was to reduce non-revenue water (50% water supplied to towns which is untraceable, not recorded and not paid for) to below 25% in 10 years. The project included management of the entire water cycle from production, treatment, transport, storage and delivery to the customer’s tap. It involved replacement of over three lakh house service connections, rehabilitation of treatment facilities, service reservoirs and pipelines.

“Now every household has a tap and a meter irrespective of whether it is a slum, a flat or a bungalow. There is accountability for every drop of water supplied the first time,” says Arun Lakhani, chairman and managing director, Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd (VIL India), which executed the Nagpur Orange City Water Project (OCW).

The aim of the project Nagpur 24×7 was to address problems of water that was being wasted and not getting billed. The city was supplying 575 million litres per day (mld) of treated water of which only 175 mld was getting billed and paid for. Most meters were either non-existent or non functional. Also, the city was receiving water supply for eight to 10 hours or on alternate days. The tanker mafia added to the problem. On the sewage side, the city was generating 550 mld of sewage and had the capacity to treat only 100 mld.

The remaining untreated sewage was polluting water bodies that supplied water to the city. For this project, the private company invested 30% of the estimated project cost, 70% grants came from the JNNURM scheme, shared by both the state and the Central government. The project was initiated by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. This project has showcased as the model case study for other cities at the launch of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart City initiative. The company also undertook a waste water reuse project for Nagpur city under which National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will be reusing 200 mld of treated water from the STP for its Mauda plant. By doing so, the city will get an additional 200 million litres per day of water, which is enough for 200 lakh people.

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd (VIL India) – Magadi 24 X 7

India has vast requirement of Infrastructure building and improvement. The PPP route was established in last decade also saw some lean time. With New government initiative the PPP has again come with better risk sharing matrix between private and public. Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd (VIL India) has been a proponent of PPP model, and has established track record in Road and highways sector.  With Urban Infrastructure foray in Water, it is today the only Indian Utility with ongoing projects in Water distribution as well as Waste water treatment and Reuse. With Water scarcity hitting the country in a big way, with sustainability point of view ,VIL’s example of Total Integrated water management at Nagpur is being followed by the whole nation. Treating Sewage as Water Source and reuse for commercial/industrial purpose is key to releasing fresh water used by Industry for drinking, without augmenting fresh sources. Govt. also realized the rational, and is supporting with policies promoting treated water use after the successful endeavor of Nagpur. This   has opened gates for USD 45bn+ drinking water and USD 25 bn+ sewage and reuse market for Private participation in India. Large Programs like Namami Gange ( Ganga Cleaning) is based on Hybrid Annuity PPP Model.

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd Nagpur 24×7 Project

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd has been a proponent of PPP model, and has established track record in Road and highways sector.  With Urban Infrastructure foray in Water, it is today the only Indian Utility with ongoing projects in Water distribution as well as Waste water treatment and Reuse. With Water scarcity hitting the country in a big way , with sustainability point of view ,VIL India example of Total Integrated water management at Nagpur is being followed by the whole nation. Treating Sewage as Water Source and reuse for commercial/industrial purpose is key to releasing fresh water used by Industry for drinking, without augmenting fresh sources.

Arun Lakhani And Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd Leading Company In Water Industry

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd (VIL) is one of the leading companies in the water industry. VIL is focused on providing 24×7 Water Supply to every household in India. They started out with the Orange City water project in Nagpur popularly known as Nagpur 24×7 water supply. To create Sustainable, efficient & Accountable – environmental services and infrastructure, with People Participation

India has vast requirement of Infrastructure building and improvement. The PPP route was established in last decade also saw some lean time. With New government initiative the PPP has again come with better risk sharing matrix between private and public. VIL India has been a proponent of PPP model, and has established track record in Road and highways sector. With Urban Infrastructure foray in Water, it is today the only Indian Utility with ongoing projects in Water distribution as well as Waste water treatment and Reuse.

Mr. Arun Lakhani the Chairman & Managing Director of Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited (VIL) says one of our biggest challenges of high – density urbanization is the generation of huge of waste water. According to the estimates of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) about 80% of water supplied for domestic use is discharged as waste water which enters untreated into the downstream water bodies polluting them. A mammoth 38,000 MLD of wastewater is generated by Class I & Class II towns and this is expected to grow 3 – 5 times to 133,000 MLD by 2050.

Vishvaraj Infra has an amazing success story to showcase. The Orange City Water or the Nagpur 24×7 Water Supply Project. Nagpur the 3rd largest city & winter capital of Maharashtra state, Nagpur is India’s loath largest city with a population of over 2.5 million people. It became the first city of its size in the country to outsource its water supply to a private operator under the PPP model for 25 years. The Private entity to bring in 3o% of the investment of the estimated project cost, 70% to be the Public entity’s contribution under MN URM + l00% escalation. The project to be operative for 25 years of O&M inclusive of 5 years of capital rehabilitation. The project covers management of the entire water cycle from production, treatment (657 MLD), transport (2100 Kms of network), storage and delivery to the last point of usage i.e. the customers tap. This involves replacement of more than 3,00,00 house service connections, rehabilitation of treatment facilities, service reservoirs and pipeline.

VIL’s key competitive advantage springs from the consistent innovations, which question the status quo. In addition to harnessing innovative technologies accessed globally VIL’s core strength is its unique ability to design innovative structuring of Public Private Partnership projects themselves.

Water, Waste Water Treatment & Sewage Treatment is just one are VIL India is involved with.  Vishvaraj Infrastructure  has also set their foot in the Transport sector. The projects undertaken by VIL are as follows: Warora – chandrapur – Ballarpur Project, Chandwad – Manmad – Nandgaon Project, Malegaon – Manmad – Kopergaon Project & Fekri and VAPI over bridge Projects.

Nagpur 24×7 Water Supply – Vishvaraj Infrastructure (VIL)

Water supply to be explained in simplified terms is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organizations, community endeavors or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes. Irrigation is covered separately. Mr. Arun Lakhani had a vision for Vishvaraj Infrastructure (VIL) as he considered Water Supply is a project that needs to be worked on and developed for a billion+ people in India.

At Vishvaraj Infra we see ourselves as social entrepreneurs since Water, Waste Water and Transport; the sectors in which we have built our reputation are closely interwoven with the lives of people. As business, apart from value creation for share holders they also impact happiness quotient of the people, thus offering enormous satisfaction to us for our life transforming work. The rapidly urbanizing Indian population is expected to reach a figure close to 600 million urban people by 2031. This massive transition is creating serious challenges for urban planners and ULBs especially that of ensuring quality water supply to these citizens. Indian cities have for long lived with intermittent water supply systems riddled with a variety of problems ranging from high levels of NRW to contamination issues.

The areas to be in focus in 24×7 water supply are as follows: Non-Revenue Water ranging from 50 to 75%, Water supply coverage Only about 64%, Intermittent Supply & Poor billing mechanism. As a solution to this situation several reforms have been initiated by the government which include introduction of performance linked PPP contracts, up gradation of existing ageing assets, 100% metering and efficient operation and maintenance of the supply system. Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd. provides global solutions that contribute to sustainable development in the water sector through innovation in the design, construction and operation of drinking water treatment plants, distribution system reforms, etc.

Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited Water supply success stories: Nagpur 24 X 7 – Nagpur is the 3rd largest city & winter capital of Maharashtra state, Nagpur is India’s loath largest city with a population of over 2.5 million people. It became the first city of its size in the country to outsource its water supply to a private operator under the PPP model for 25 years. Nagpur 24 x 7 Water Supply

First Full City Continuous water supply Project in India

The Project gives emphasis on Operator’s Performance; the Operator remuneration is linked with the technical and commercial efficiency of his services.

• Delinking of consumer tariff and Operator’s fees
• Employees and Unions – Job security of government employees maintained
• Included ‘economically challenged segment of society’ in Service Level Agreement (SLA) for connecting households
• Sovereign rights with N MC —Tariff, sole rights for new house service connection & disconnection and ownership of assets

Other projects in the pipeline for Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd are Magadi 24×7 in Ramanagara district in the state of Karnataka. Bidar & Basavakalyan 24×7. The two towns of Bidar and Basavakalyan are located in the Bidar district of Karnataka.

Pressurized water supply throughout India is essential for daily survival. It’s a basic necessity for every living being. VIL aims to overcome this problem and make India a country with 24×7 Water Supply.

VIL Arun Lakhani Wins Big At World Water Leadership Congress & Awards

At the recent World Water Leadership Congress & Awards, Vishvaraj Infrastructure Limited (VIL), won two major awards in the sector. The company won the presitigious Water Reuse Project of the Year and Mr Arun Lakhani, VIL’s chairman and managing director won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Water.

For a man like Mr Arun Lakhani this means a lot. Especially, one who has over the years kept a low profile, in order to concentrate make a huge impact to society at large.

Hailing from the small village of Malkapur from Buldhana district, he did his schooling from a Marathi medium school. In the years to come he would complete a degree in B.Sc from Amravati and an M.Tech in petrochemicals. In a career, that spans four decades, Mr Arun Lakhani, while working at various institutions has always sought for positive social change.

Realising India’s finite water resources are depleting while the multi-sectoral demands is driving the increased demand for water, VIL has been making inroads to make 24×7 water a reality. As the per capita consumption of water rapidly increases, sewage leaves companies with a possible cost and an opportunity.

VIL provides global solutions that contribute to sustainable development in the water sector through innovation in the design, construction and operation of drinking water treatment plants, distribution system reforms, etc. The Company has executed or in execution projects worth approximately Rs 27,500 million across the three sectors primarily through PPP contracting and few through EPC route.