Private partners in management of water supply and use of IT by water supply corporations of different cities was emphasised by speakers during the inaugural function of `Water and Enviro Tech Expo 2008’ at Koramangala Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Anil Sethi, Chairman of Subhash Projects and Marketing Limited, entrusted with water supply management in Latur City for the last four months said, “The water board at Latur used to incur a loss of Rs one-and-a-half crore annually. We have agreed to give the board nearly Rs 4.2 crores as royalty annually apart from investing Rs 25 crores as capital.” 

Of this, Rs 10 crores will be spent on IT- related work alone, he said adding that IT was virtually absent in water supply in many cities and must be extensively used.

Many other cities including Faridabad, Gurgaon and Sholapur were opting for private water management contractors, he said. 

K H Gopala Krishne Gowda, Chairman and Managing Director, Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, said the water supply segment offered much potential for investment opportunities. The water distribution segment must be modernised using IT, he added.

H C Sharatchandra, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, said more than 65% of children admitted in hospitals were victims of water-borne diseases.

The two-day expo is organised by NRS Forums and Exhibitions. Pumps and Valves Expo 2008 is being organised simultaneously.  It is open from 10 am to 7 pm on both days and entry is free.