CM’S SINGAPORE VISIT 2014

Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje on the first day of her official tour, visitied the facilities of Hyflux – renowned fully integrated water solution company in Singapore.

Smt. Raje interacted in detail with Olivia Lum, Executive Chairman & Group CEO of Hyflux. Hyflux is an acknowledged expert in water purification and filteration using membrane based desalination and membrane bio-reactors. CM Raje discussed advancements in technology that could potentially change the manner in which waste water is treated and recycled in Rajasthan.

A presentation on Rajasthan’s water issues was made before the Hyflux team. In a recent announcement, the state government has indicated that it shall be setting up 5000 R.O. Plants in the state over the next 5 years. Hyflux membrane based technology could be useful since it allows significant reduction in wastage of water. This was one of the subjects discussed. Chief Minister also discussed with the Hyflux management, a possible partnership in using desalination technology for treating saline water in several districts of Rajasthan.

The delegation accompanying the CM visited Marina Barrage, a water treatment and supply facility managed by Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore which is a fresh water reservoir. In this reservoir rainwater is harvested, which not only shields the city from stench of brackish water of the coast, but also allows flood control and drinking water. Moreover, parts of the barrage are available to the citizens for recreational purposes.

In the course of interaction, Additional Chief Secretary Shri CS Rajan was briefed by the PUB officials on their philosophy of conserve, use and enjoy water. It is notable that the PUB of Singapore is noted for its achievement that all tap water in the city state is well within the WHO drinking water standards. The official delegation interacted with PUB officials on how to improve and maintain drinking water supply in the state.

The Urban Development sub-group of the delegation led by the Additional Chief Secertary Shri Ashok Jain met with the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URB), Singapore. The possibilities of training and capacity building exercise for the engineering staff of the urban local bodies in Rajasthan was deliberated upon during this meeting.