Udaipur : Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies (GITS), Udaipur Municipal Corporation (UMC)and Innovation Hub for Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IHUWASH)project being implemented by National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), New Delhihas jointlyorganizeda Two DayWorkshopon Application of Innovative Tools in Water Supply and Sewerage System Management – Geographic Information SystemfortheGovernment officials of the Municipality, Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Town Planning Department on 20thand 21stDecember, 2018. The training programme aimed to train the government officials to implement various government projects like Smart City Mission, AMRUT and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).
The Chief Guest of this programme was Shri SiddharthSihag(IAS), Commissioner UMC. Shri. Sihag during his speech highlighted that in future; GIS platform will be commonly used to manage infrastructure by Urban Local Bodies. He insisted that officials must acquaint themselves with such tools for better planning and designing of infrastructure in advance. He highlighted that integration of SCADA and GIS can provide real time solutions to fix the issues of water and sewerage infrastructure. Since the training was attended by officials from the Municipality, UIT, PHED and Town Planning Department; he mentioned that this training also provided a platform for inter-departmental coordination.
Shri. Anand Rudra, Senior WASH Advisorfrom United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is supporting IHUWASH project; was another dignitary present in the Training Workshop. He interacted with the trainees during the programme.Shri Rudra mentioned that participants should utilize the learnings of this training in their day to day work, wherever required.Shri. ArunVyas,Additional SuperintendentEngineer, UMC was also present during the training.
In his address; Dr. VikasMisra, GITS Director said that even after 70 years of Independence; we stilllackthe adequate water supply management system or sewerage system management techniques. If we want to compete with the developed nations; then it is essential to use modern techniques by which we can make the dream of Smart City a reality.Healso stated that modern techniques are still not being fully used for Water supply and Sewerage System Management in the recent era. To managethe water resource efficiently; a Water Supply Management System (WSMS) has been developed for collecting and storing the data obtained from many monitoring hosts. The main objective of this programme is to orient the government officials to improve water and sewerage management inUdaipur,and to study the problems of the water and sewerage systemswith the use of new techniques.
In the Two Day Workshop organised by GITS; about 25 engineers and senior officers participated, and have given their valuable suggestions. The outcome of the workshop was aimed at implementing various national missions like Smart City, Swachh Bharat Mission and AMRUT. It will give boost tomakeUdaipur a true Smart City.
Apart from the participation of officialsfromNagar Nigam Udaipur;officials from UIT, PHED, and Town Planning Department participated in training. Hands on training was provided to Technocrats and experts under the aegis of WASH Lab at GITS formed under the Tripartite Agreement amongst the National Institute of Urban affairs (NIUA), New Delhi, Udaipur Municipal Corporation (UMC) and Geetanjali Institute of Technical Studies.
Dr.Manish Varma, Coordinator and WASHChair, inhis views regarding the Workshop mentioned that on the very first day of the workshop everyone worked together to address the challenges and solutions for Udaipur’s WASH sector, and further delved on how to map and plan for the sector using innovative technology. On the second day; the discussion led to the implementation of the geographical evaluation and planning.
At the end of training, certificates were given to trainees. Director, GITS, MBA Director Dr P.K. Jain, Director, MBA Program, Mr. B.L. Jangir Finance Controller along with whole of GITS family were present for the Workshop, which was a learning experience for all.