Achieve higher standards of Efficiency and optimal use of Water in the Auto Sector was the underlying theme of the deliberations at the Conference on Enhancing water use efficiency and competitiveness of Auto sector by CII-Triveni Water Institute, at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Dr Amarjit Singh, Special Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt. of India, in his address mentioned how the health implications created by water contaminants adversely affects productivity and thus highlighted the role industry has to play in mitigating water contamination. Mr Singh also stressed upon the need to evolve norms with respect to optimum water utilization and effective waste water discharge specially for industries located in the Ganga Basin.
Mr Prasann Chobe, Conference Chairman and Senior Vice President, Head Manufacturing Operations – CVBU, Tata Motors Ltd, emphasized upon the importance to place sustainable development as the key focus area for the automobile sector which is in its growing phase in India. Mr Chobe also invited the industry to invest in the growth of innovative ideas in the area of green technology from the perspective of Water.
Shri Nikilesh Jha, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Water Mission, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt. Of India, emphasized upon the five goals of the National Water Mission namely , preparation a water database for surface water , ground and wastewater” , preparation of people and Stakeholders partnership to build capacity to augment Groundwater usage, focused attention to vulnerable areas
including over-exploited areas , increasing water use efficiency by 20% across sectors and promotion of basin level integrated water resources management. Mr Jha also explained the challenges present in the water sector due to huge demand from Industrial , Agriculture and domestic sectors. Mr Jha also urged the auto industries to use efficient waste water treatment system in their manufacturing processes and use recycled water in several of their operations to reduce usage of fresh water.
Shri K B Biswas, Chairman, Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Govt. Of India, highlighted the fact that that the progress of the country lies in the effective water management across sectors. Mr Biswas also emphasized the industries to channelize funds towards nourishing the groundwater resources by employing techniques like rainwater harvesting and artificial ground water recharge.
Dr Kapil K Narula, Executive Director and CEO, CII-Triveni Water Institute, in his closing remarks mentioned that the recent announcement of the Government of India for an effective Public Private Partnership model to combat the water related issues is a positive step towards waste water management and would encourage all stakeholders to come forward to work together for this sector . Dr Narula also highlighted that the key takeaway from the conference was to urge industry to re-establish its identify with respect to its watershed. He highlighted the need for isolating water rights from the land rights.
The Sessions of the Conference witnessed eminent speakers like Mr Vivek Joshi, Deputy General Manager, CCE, Tata Motors Limited , Mr K Harish, General Manager, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. , Mr Atul Suri ,
General Manager Eisenmann Surface Finishing Systems India Pvt Ltd, Mr Dheeraj Verma, GM – EHS, JCB India Ltd ,Mr Sanjay Gupta, Head Advisory Services & Ms Shilpa Nischal , Counsellor , CII – Triveni Water Institute a nd Mr Ashok Tambi , Manager, Bosch Limited deliberate upon the strategies to achieve international benchmarks with a long term perspective through sustainable water management practices.