WASHCost launch helps India move towards sustainability

The WASHCost project has just come at the right time when the department is shifting its focus to sustainability and better service delivery at the village level. The department will extend complete support to the project, Mr Ajay Misra, Principal Secretary Department of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation RWSS, said at the launch of the WASHCost India in Andhra Pradesh on 2 September 2008.

The inaugural function was chaired by Prof Mahendradev, Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Prof Ratna Reddy, acting Director CESS and WASHCost country director, welcomed the guests and briefly described the WASHCost project, its aims and objectives. Mr. Ben Lamoree, Director IRC highlighted the global perspective of WASHCost and the CESS-IRC collaboration. Dr.Charles Bachelor (WASH Governance specialist, India), Mr. Rene van Lieshout (IRC-South Asia region) and Mr. Jorge Perez Luna (IT manager, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) were also present at the launch. Around 100 people from line departments at central and state level, NGOs and media were present at the inaugural event.

Heads of the line departments made presentations on the status of groundwater, rural water supply, the sanitation status and the institutional mapping in Andhra Pradesh. In the afternoon session participants discussed in groups water supply and sanitation issues on which WASHCost research should focus: governance and sustainability and source protection, augmentation and environmental issues. The day ended with a plenary session chaired by Mr. Ben Lamoree and Prof Ratna Reddy making the concluding remarks thanking everyone for their active participation and enthusiastic involvement in the technical sessions.