Veolia has opened a VeoliaForce emergency-response hub in New Delhi to deploy mobile drinking-water treatment units and trained personnel across South and Southeast Asia during climate-related disasters. The facility will initially house two portable treatment plants and train 25 Veolia employees to operate the equipment, which can be deployed within hours to convert available water sources into potable water. One unit, with a capacity of 2 cubic metres per hour, can provide water at a rate of 20 litres per person per day. The initiative is supported by an investment of more than €1 million over two years for equipment and training, funded by the Veolia Group. Working through humanitarian partners such as the Red Cross and UNHCR, the hub aims to improve preparedness for floods, droughts and other emergencies. Beyond immediate relief, Veolia India is exploring the possibility of manufacturing these treatment units in India under the Make in India initiative, potentially positioning the country as a regional production and deployment base. The initiative highlights the role of private-sector technical expertise, trained personnel and pre-positioned infrastructure in strengthening climate resilience and ensuring access to safe drinking water during emergencies.
Source: The Economic Times