Govt mulling PPP model for urban water supply sector

The government is considering a public-private-partnership (PPP) model for urban water supply to enhance coverage and efficiency of service delivery, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is being explored as one of the options to bridge the demand-supply gap in urban water supply sector with a view to improving coverage and efficiency of sevice delivery," Minister of State for Urban Development Bahul Supriyo said in a written reply.

To a query on response to similar exercise undertaken globally, he said, "PPP experience in urban water supply the world over has been mixed." In case of Manila (Philippines), he said the PPP in water supply has "improved coverage and reduced non-revenue water, suggesting that PPPs can produce benign outcomes if structured well." Responding to a separate question on fine for littering in public places, Supriyo said, "The government proposes to amend the Environment Protection Act 1986 to provide for civil monetary penalty for violation of Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2000.