BENGALURU: In a landmark initiative aligned with the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ vision, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is exploring the establishment of the Bengaluru Global Water Innovation Network (BGWIN), an ambitious international platform aimed at transforming Bengaluru into a globally recognised hub for water innovation, urban water security, and sustainable infrastructure development, said BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar.
He said that BGWIN is conceived as a first-of-its-kind global collaboration platform, and it will bring together leading water utilities, government agencies, universities, research institutions, industry leaders, startups, incubators, investors, and civil society organisations to collectively address emerging challenges in the water and wastewater sector.
“The initiative is designed to strengthen Bengaluru’s position as a global leader in urban water management by fostering innovation, accelerating technology adoption, promoting international collaboration, and building a future-ready ecosystem to address the growing challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, climate change, and resource scarcity.
The initiative will support research, policy development, technology validation, and capacity building while aligning closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG-7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities),” stated Manohar in a release.
A key pillar of the initiative will be the establishment of a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence, housing a dedicated Technology Innovation Hub focused on advanced research in artificial intelligence-driven predictive analytics, smart metering systems, decentralized water treatment technologies, water reuse solutions, and next-generation utility management practices, he added and said, “By testing innovations in real-world operating conditions, BWSSB aims to reduce investment risks, improve technology adoption outcomes, and accelerate the transition towards smarter and more efficient utility operations.”
BWSSB officials said the network will also contribute to the development of progressive regulatory frameworks and policy interventions through collaborations with international universities, innovation ecosystems, development agencies, and non-governmental organisations.
BWSSB believes the initiative will significantly elevate Bengaluru’s profile in global water forums, international conferences, and industry awards while positioning the city at the forefront of next-generation urban water governance.
