Water sector development should get top priority by Urban bodies: VIL CMD Arun Lakhani
“Sustainability and Collaboration is the way forward to address changes in the water sector”
New Delhi; 10th April 2016: Shri Arun Lakhani, CMD of leading water management player Vishvaraj
Industries, today complimented Prime Minister Narender Modi led government for taking host of
initiatives for conservation, harvesting, recycling and treatment of scarce water and said sustainable
efforts for water sector is a must in the face of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation.
“Urban local bodies are however constrained by the fund shortage and are not taking the water
sector projects to the level desired,” he said participating in a seminar “Challenges of Water Supply
and Sanitation for Urban and Rural Areas” on the occasion of India Water Week, 2016, inaugurated
by Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.
Mr. Lakhani, Said that India requires a staggering over US$ 45 Billion investment for improvement in
the water sector and industry should become a partner to the government for this national cause.
“Carriage and treatment of waste water is being overlooked by the local bodies and doesn’t get the
due importance. The need for sustainable development of water sector cannot be over looked.,” he
said and voiced a word of caution that water cannot and should not be merely treated as an
economic commodity as it is the basic right of human being and is deeply embodied in the social
fabric of the community.”
A session on case study presentation was organized by FICCI where eminent speaker from the water
industry presented their views and solutions pertaining to water sector. The speakers present at the
case study presentation were Mr Arun Lakhani, CMD – Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd, Mr Pradeep Suri
– Chairman, IL&FS Water Ltd and Chairman FICCI’s National Executive Committee on Urban
Infrastructure and Smart Cities, Mr. Dinesh Chand, Additional Advisor for Ministry of Drinking Water
and Sanitation, Mr M.S. Agarwal, Retd Chairman, GRMB, Siddhartha Prakash, Sr Operations officer,
International Finance Corporation, IFC.
Best practices from companies across industries were shared along with strategic keynote
presentations by industry stalwarts who play an integral role in the field of water sustainability in
India. The importance of risk management and mitigation was stressed upon at the conference; this
is crucial for the longevity of any sectors sustainability and collaboration is the way forward to
address radical and frequent changes in the externalities of ecosystem.
The event was inaugurated by shrimati Uma Bharti Union Minister for Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that Water
Resources are the prime input to the growth and prosperity of a nation and Films can prove to be an
effective tool of communication to spread the message of water conservation.
Vishvaraj industries is a pioneer player in treating waste water for household consumption and
created a showcased project in Nagpur to supply water to more than half of winter capital of
Maharashtra nearly 15 years ago and is now providing consultancy to various Urban Local Bodies
and policy maker in efficient use of water technology.
About Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd
A company that is envisioned to build infrastructure that improves the quality of life for citizens at
large was initiated in 1999. It has emerged over the last decade and half as a corporate entity with
core competencies in formulating and executing highly innovative solutions via the PPP route that
are win-win for all stakeholders.
The company started its operations with BOT projects in the roads & highways sector from the state
of Maharashtra and subsequently diversified into Water Supply (24X7) projects in Maharashtra &
Karnataka over the years. Recently the company has made foray into Waste Water Treatment &
Reuse Projects by securing a PPP contract for same in Nagpur. Slowly and steadily the company is
engaging in expanding its footprint to States like Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal, and Bihar among
others. It is perhaps the only Indian company which has created its niche in Water Management
sector in such a short span of time.
