Press Release: Consultation Workshop on WASH Forum

A Consultation Workshop on WASH Forum was held at the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) on 9th April, 2019. It was jointly organized by The WASH Innovation Lab at MRIIRS, Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), which is implementing the IHUWASH Project, supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of this workshop was to discuss the Scope of Work, functioning and formulation of a WASH Forum in Faridabad under the aegis of the WASH Innovation LAB. IHUWASH project is being implemented in three cities of India i.e. Faridabad in Haryana, Mysuru in Karnataka and Udaipur in Rajasthan. This is the second project city where the Forum is being initiated under the IHUWASH project. The first one was formed in Mysuru.

The WASH Forum will be a network of representatives from government, academia, private sector, industries, entrepreneurs, civic societies and also general public who wish to contribute in improving the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related challenges of Faridabad city innovatively.The overall objective of the Forum is to institutionalize the ownership of WASH issues by the host project cities of IHUWASH in collaboration with the individual City Municipal Corporations, and the WASH Innovation Labs .

The Consultation Workshop in Faridabadwas attended by 40 participants representing various segments of society. Ms. Anita Yadav, IAS, Commissioner, MCF presided over the workshop.Dr. Sanjay Srivastava Vice-Chancellor, MRIIRS and Dr. NC Wadhwa, Director General, MREI was also present at the event. Dr. D.K. Chadha, WASH Chair, WASH Innovation Lab set the context of the session. In her address; Ms. Anita Yadav spoke about the ongoing various initiatives undertaken by the MCF such as Clean and Green City Campaign wherein use of treated, recycled wastewater has been proposed for landscaping of parks and greenbelts. CSR Funds will be utilized for undertaking such activities with technical support from the WASH Innovation Lab.

After detailed discussion and deliberation, it was decided that a 12-member Governing Council will be formed to oversee the WASH Forum at Faridabad. The WASH Chairwill be the Member Secretary of the Forum. Based on everyone’s suggestions; the main objectives of the WASH Forum were charted out, highlighting that the Forum will work towards sustaining the ecosystem of WASH in Faridabad for the wellbeing of its residents and for the city’s overall development incorporating innovative technologies, solutions, and strengthen existing partnerships between the government bodies, citizenry and private sector. The Forum will also extend its support to the State of Haryana. Dr. N.C. Wadhwa re-affirmed Manav Rachna’s support and commitment towards improving Faridabad’s WASH Sector through the WASH Innovation Lab. The Commissioner of MCF will be the Chairman of the Forum. Concluding the Workshop, Ms. Anita Yadav mentioned that the Forum will provide everyone an opportunity to work together. Most importantly, it will augment sensitization of WASH related issues in the city.