Pramesh S Jain
*Award Recognizes Sustainability Initiatives Under the Leadership of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB)has been honoured with the prestigious “CII IGBC Green Project Award 2024.”
For its groundbreaking initiatives in sustainable water management and innovative technologies that effectively addressed the city’s severe water crisis during the summer.
The award was presented at the Green Building Congress,Asia’s largest green building expo,being held today at the International Exhibition Center in Bengaluru.
The event was presided over by CII IGBC leaders Shekhar Reddy and Gurmeet Singh Arora .
Dr.Ram Prasath Manohar,Chairman of Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board, received the award on behalf of the Board. In his address, Dr. Manohar reflected on the unprecedented water shortage Bengaluru faced this summer, exacerbated by the depletion of groundwater sources.
He credited the successful mitigation of the crisis to a series of *sustainable initiatives, implemented under the leadership and guidance of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar .
Among the measures adopted were the mandatory installation of aerators across apartments, commercial buildings,public spaces,and industries to reduce water wastage.
The Board also launched the Green Star Challenge*, encouraging the adoption of water-saving practices based on the Panchasutras framework,which was successfully implemented across various sectors, including hotels and industries.
Dr.Manohar further emphasized the implementation of water-saving technologies,the expanded use of treated water, and the installation of rainwater harvesting systems.
He also noted that the Bangalore Water Board’s efforts were supported by extensive public awareness campaigns aimed at educating both customers and staff on water conservation.
In addition to these local efforts,BWSSB’s water management model was showcased at the United Nations Climate Change Conference,where it was shared with global leaders and successfully advocated as a solution for cities facing similar water scarcity challenges.The “Bangalore Model” was well-received and encouraged for adoption by other major cities.
National Recognition for Leadership Under Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar:
The award is a testament to the national recognition of BWSSB’s projects, which have garnered global attention for their sustainability and eco-friendliness.Dr.Manohar highlighted the critical role played by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in guiding these initiatives, stating that his leadership has been instrumental in shaping Bengaluru’s water management strategy.
Dr. Manohar also emphasized the importance of partnerships with private organizations, such as CII,to enabled government institutions like BWSSB to function more effectively and efficiently.
He reiterates the commitment of BWSSB to continue implementing innovative and sustainable projects to realize the vision of a sustainable, water-secure city, as championed by the Deputy Chief Minister.