World Bank expert favours privatising water supply

John Briscoe, a senior advisor on water for the World Bank, has recommended the entry of private players in the water supply chain for domestic usage.

He also stated that the World Bank is keen to provide financial support to India in the areas of irrigation and domestic water supply.

Briscoe was in Anand to attend the fourth IWMI - Tata Annual Partners' meet recently.

IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Program was established in Anand in 2000 through a partnership between International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai.

"The presence of private players is necessary in India in the field of water supply. There is not a single civic body in India that manages to provide water supply for 24 hours a day. If private players can enter the aviation and power sector why not in water supply! The presence of private players in water supply will improve the quality of services of local civic bodies like private players have compelled the state owned enterprise to improve the quality of product and services in respective fields," Briscoe said.

He said the World Bank is willing to support India's initiatives in the fields of urban and rural water supply and irrigation. Briscoe also appreciated India's efforts into these directions.

However, he stated that in view of the size of Indian population and area that is not enough. "Indian needs better water supply infrastructure in all sectors with transparency".

Referring to one of the paper presented by Bombay City Policy Research Foundation, Briscoe said: "In Mumbai there are 35 workers per 1000 connections, which is too huge. It is difficult to invite private players in the situation where the resistance from the civic workers is inevitable but the government can offer part of the city to the private player to showcase the results."

Briscoe observed that India has very low tariff structure for water supply in urban areas with poor services. He recommended that it is better that the civic bodies charge higher tariff and provide better water supply wherever it is desirable.

At present the World Bank is working on a report named 'Strategic Challenges for Water Development and Management in India' that will be out by the end of June, informed Briscoe. The report will consist of views of experts on present status of water management in India and recommendation.