India launch makes the Business Daily of The Hindu

Project aims at sustainable water, sanitation systems

Hyderabad, Sept. 2, 2008. The Netherlands-based IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre has joined hands with Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS) of Hyderabad as part of four-country study.The study is aimed at finding sustainable and cost-efficient water and sanitation systems in Ghana, Mozambique, Burkina Faso and India at an estimated cost of $15 million.

Addressing a gathering after the launch of the WASHCost (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene promotion Costs for sustainable service delivery) here on Tuesday, Prof V. Ratna Reddy, Country Director, said the study would identify the factors that influenced costs at each stage of WASH service delivery life cycle.

“The project would play a lead role in bringing about the transformation in drinking water and sanitation, working with local communities, government agencies, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations,” he said.

Mr Ajay Misra, Principal Secretary of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS, Government of AP), said the State Government had launched a pilot programme in 20 villages, converging sanitation and nutritional schemes. “This year, we are going to expand this to 1,500 villages. Depending on the results, we will further scale it up,” he said.

Source: Hindu Business Daily