India and Israel have signed a joint statement to establish a Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This tripartite agreement involves the Embassy of Israel, IIT Madras, and the AMRUT mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, showcasing a mutual dedication to tackling critical water management issues in India.
The Center of Water Technology is set to be a focal point for innovation, research, and capacity-building in water technologies, with a special emphasis on sustainable urban water supply solutions. Israel, recognized as a global leader in Integrated Water Resources Management, is a strategic partner to India.
To initiate this collaboration, a capacity-building course titled "24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas" was conducted at IIT Madras from August 5 to 8, 2024. Naor Gilon, the Ambassador of Israel to India, highlighted the joint commitment of both nations to confront the urgent issues of water scarcity and management.
Gilon expressed, "The establishment of the Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras underscores our robust partnership, and we anticipate developing innovative solutions that will positively impact millions in India." The Embassy of Israel reiterated its dedication to promoting cooperation in water technology and management, viewing the new center as a pivotal contributor to India's goal of ensuring a sustainable water supply for all.
The CoWT focuses on the mutual exchange of technology, scientific information, and literature, and conducts discussions and consultations with experts from both countries to address challenges in drinking water and sewerage management, and to explore new intervention areas. Additionally, the two governments plan to jointly identify specific projects related to integrated water resources management, urban water supply, non-revenue water, water and sewage recycling, IoT solutions, online monitoring, water harvesting, smart data management, and AI, aiming to showcase the most advanced technologies in the field.
