Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam collaborates with IIM Indore and IIT Kanpur for water reforms

In a significant push towards modernising rural water supply and sanitation infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) has entered into partnerships with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. The collaboration with IIM Indore has been formalised through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), while an MoU with IIT Kanpur is currently being finalised. The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Focus on Technology and Management

The partnerships aim to embed advanced technology, modern management practices, and robust monitoring systems into the organisation’s operations. These efforts are designed to sustain and expand the progress made under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which has already provided functional tap connections to over 2.51 crore rural households in Uttar Pradesh.

IIT Kanpur, through its AIRAWAT Research Foundation, will assist in developing an AI-enabled decision-support and governance framework for Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural). The first phase of this initiative will focus on integrated data management, analytics, and an AI-powered public grievance redressal system. Future phases will address groundwater sustainability, wastewater analytics, water-quality monitoring, and end-to-end visibility of water distribution. The scope also includes innovative approaches like the reuse of treated sewage and scientific sludge management.

Strengthening Organisational Capacity

The MoU with IIM Indore will bolster the Jal Nigam’s newly established Technology and Innovation Cell. Key areas of collaboration include capacity building, behavioural-change communication for water conservation, technology advisory, and financial strategy. A Joint Steering Committee with equal representation from both institutions will oversee the partnership.

Two studies by IIM Indore have already been approved: a Comprehensive Review of Financial Management and Operational Processes, and a Cadre Assessment and Restructuring study. These studies aim to address critical organisational challenges, including a manpower structure that has not kept pace with the increased workload since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Towards a Sustainable Model

The studies will also explore cost-effective manpower policies, new revenue-generation models, and benchmarking against high-performing water utilities in other states. This marks a deliberate shift by Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) towards a technology-driven, professionally managed, and financially sustainable service delivery model.

With these partnerships, the Jal Nigam aims to deliver safe drinking water and effective sewage treatment to rural Uttar Pradesh, meeting global standards of efficiency and transparency. “These collaborations are expected to yield tangible improvements across the full spectrum of the organisation’s work,” said Raj Shekhar, Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural).

Source: The Hindu