Vishvaraj Infrastructure adjudged best PPP operator in Water and Waste Water Sector

Nagpur: While whole of Maharashtra is facing acute shortage of water this summer, Marathwada being worst affected, Nagpur is in much better situation.

Gone are the days when citizens used to try all their sources to get tanker water in their apartments in large number of localities. The change was possible by the organized efforts of Orange City Water (OCW) which is responsible for water supply in the city. The efforts of Vishvaraj which is one of the promoting companies of OCW were recognized at the highest level.

Vishvaraj has been named the most successful PPP operator in water and waste water sector at the Water Digest Water Awards (WDWA) 2015–16. These awards are recognized by UNESCO and supported by Times Network. Arun Lakhani, Chairman and Managing Director of Vishvaraj Infrastructure Ltd, received the award in a ceremony in New Delhi from Chaudhary Birender Singh, Minister of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India.

Also present on the occasion were the jury panel members Dr. Pawan Kumar Labhasetwar – Sr.Principal Scientist, CSIR – NEERI, Anshuman – TERI (Associate Director), R.K. Gupta – CMD – WABCOS, Dr KM Chacko – Director Sriram Institute, Satish Mallick, Consultant – Water and Waste Water, Dr. Ram Bhoojh – UNESCO, Dr. Jagdish Kumar Bassin – Retd Chief Scientist & Head, CSIR – NEERI.

Speaking on the occasion Lakhani said, “We at Vishvaraj Infrastructure are honored to receive this prestigious recognition. We dedicate this award to the people of Nagpur, Officials of Nagpur Municipal Corporation and also the politicians from the city cutting across the party lines, who cooperated with us in bringing the change in the water supply system in Nagpur. We have tried our best to communicate with the people through various mediums and we will continue to do so. We have still not achieved our goal but are on the right path of reaching there. People will appreciate that the project of this size and nature is not attempted anywhere in India so far and we are privileged to do it first time in Nagpur. We have wonderful people in the city who have supported us so far and we need your continued support for few more years and we assure you the best of the class water supply system in the country. We wish to receive all of your ideas and suggestions which will guide us to perform better.”

It is worth mentioning here that the “Nagpur 24×7 water supply project through PPP mode” was also selected as “National Best Practice of India” and was appreciated by the Prime Minister in front of 500 mayors and commissioners during inauguration of Smart City and AMRUT scheme on 25th June 2015.

“Best Water and Waste Water PPP operator award” is another feather in the cap for the Nagpur based company and it is bringing Nagpur on the National and International map by showcasing its path breaking initiatives. Representatives of the many multi-national companies and city planners across India are regular visitors of Nagpur water projects and appreciate the efforts of the NMC and the company.

This News is Originally Posted on NAGPUR TODAY

Arun Lakhani: A Visionary

It is said that innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower. The vision of a single man can change the face of the world. One such visionary is Mr. Arun Lakhani, today MD and chairman of Vishvaraj Infrastructure. A simple man from the seat of Vidarbha – Nagpur has made a long journey starting of in software and data processing to being one of the leading authorities on Public-Private-Partnerships (PPP) in India.

Arun Lakhani was the primary driving force behind the Nagpur 24X7 water project, a landmark PPP project by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation to provide hygienic drinking water to the city especially the slum dwellers. Nagpur essentially opened it's doors and mind to an opportunity that would help build a streamlined and efficient model which could be replicated in the future.

Led by Lakhani Nagpur became the first city in India to build a 24/7, fully pressurized drinking water supply system. A joint venture company aptly named Orange City Water was created and entered a concussion contract under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM)

Taking up the mantle for waste water management and water conservation in the city Lakhani is today a speaker and delegate at various national and international water conventions. Mr. Arun Lakhani participated in the Global Water Investment summit as a speaker and addressed the Session on 'Water Infrastructure Finance' on 7th May 2014 in London, UK. Describing the Indian water scenario, he emphasised on Benchmarking best practices in PPP, Stakeholder Engagement, Innovative Financing Initiatives and Risk Mitigation Strategies.

Driven by his mission to have a sustainable supply of clean water in India he was recently invited by the Planning Commission to be part of the committee on Industrial Water in addition to being a prominent member of all recognized trade organisations like CII, FICCI & Assocham.

His vision is to have water sustainability by cleaning and maintaining the river water supply and his company leads various R&D projects towards the same. In addition he is working on core water supply mechanisms in terms of reduction of non-revenue water, pressure maximization utilizing level surveys, tank capacities, quick speed house service connection etc.

With visionaries and leaders like Arun Lakhani the Government and citizens of India can rest assured that the dream of a Swach Bharat and Clean Ganga will be a reality soon.