India and Israel Collaborate to Establish Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras

India and Israel have signed a joint statement to set up a Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras, Chennai. The center, aimed at addressing water management challenges in India, will focus on innovation, research, and sustainable urban water solutions.

In a significant move, India and Israel inked a joint statement on Tuesday to establish a Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This tripartite agreement was signed by the Embassy of Israel, IIT Madras, and the AMRUT mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, underscoring their mutual commitment to tackling India's critical water management challenges. The Center aims to be a nucleus for innovation, research, and capacity-building in sustainable urban water technologies.

Israel, recognized globally as a leader in Integrated Water Resources Management, will kickstart this initiative with a capacity-building course on '24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas' scheduled from August 5 to 8, 2024 at IIT Madras.

Naor Gilon, the Israeli Ambassador to India, noted that this collaboration highlights the shared commitment of both nations to confronting urgent issues of water scarcity and management. 'The establishment of the Center of Water Technology at IIT Madras is a testament to our strong partnership, and we look forward to working together to develop innovative solutions that will benefit millions in India,' he stated. The Embassy of Israel in India confirmed its dedication to advancing cooperation in water technology and management, with the new center expected to play a crucial role in achieving sustainable water supply solutions for India.

The CoWT will facilitate the exchange of technology, scientific information, and literature, as well as promote expert consultations on various water-related issues. Both governments also plan to identify specific projects dealing with 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. These efforts aim to demonstrate the most advanced technological interventions in the field.

(With inputs from agencies.)