24x7 water supply project: AFD delegation visits UT

Chandigarh: A delegation of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) on Friday arrived in Chandigarh to participate in an annual seminar focused on the groundbreaking 24x7 pan-city water supply project.
The delegation, led by AFD regional director Yazid Bensaid and country director Lise Breuil, included 23 experts from various domains.
The delegates visited the Sector 39-based water works facility, where they were introduced to innovative smart interventions integral to the project, including the GIS mapping of groundwater infrastructure, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and instrumentation systems, and a web-based online grievance redressal application for mobile phones users.
The 24x7 pan-city water supply project encompasses all 35 wards of Chandigarh, aiming to transform the existing water supply system from intermittent service to a continuous 24x7 model.
With a total investment of 59.38 million Euro — comprising 48 million Euro in loans from AFD and 11.38 million Euroin grants from the European Union — the project is a significant commitment to improving urban infrastructure.
“The expected outcomes are manifold,” said Isha Kambhoj, additional CEO, Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL). “We anticipate improved access to clean water for residents, enhanced customer satisfaction through reliable service, a significant reduction in water losses from approximately 32-38% to 15%, and improved water quality — all contributing to an increased overall livability index,” she said.
Yazid Bensaid said: “Today’s discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the future of water management in Chandigarh. AFD, as a public financial institution, plays a vital role in implementing France’s development assistance policy. The organisation promotes projects that improve living conditions in developing countries while addressing climate change.”
As per the CSCL, the initiative aims to provide continuous, reliable water supply to Chandigarh’s population of approximately 1.29 million residents. Key components of the project include capacity building, mid-term and end-term audits, and change management initiatives. A significant focus will also be placed on recycled water management to alleviate pressure on groundwater resources and promote sustainability.