New Delhi: The Centre has received a whopping 213 proposals from various Indian tech start-ups, MSMEs, companies and LLPs for a challenge to create innovative, modular, and cost-effective solutions to develop Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring Systema to be deployed at the village level.
This is part of an ICT Grand Challenge which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet project -- National Jal Jeevan Mission in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
These 213 proposals will now be scrutinised by a jury committee appointed by MEITY and select the proposals. The ambitious mission focuses on service delivery rather than mere creation of infrastructure.
This kind of technological challenge offers a great opportunity to ensure long-term sustainability of water supply systems in rural areas.
Through this challenge, the Centre is hopeful of harnessing the vibrant IoT ecosystems of India for creating smart rural water supply eco-system to measure and monitor the service delivery of the water supply in rural areas.
"This challenge will provide opportunity to work for cause of Jal Jeevan Mission and to assure potable water supply through functional household tap connection to every rural household of the country," said the Centre.
The Grand challenge will provide support at ideation Stage, prototype development as well as deployment stages. The pilot will be conducted in 100 villages. The best solution will get a cash prize of Rs. 50 Lakh and runner ups will get prizes of Rs. 20 Lakh each.
Successful developers will be given an opportunity to join the MeitY-supported incubator for further nurturing of the solution. This will boost the idea and thrust of initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Digital India and Make in India, believes the Centre.
The Union Government's flagship programme- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is being implemented in partnership with States for providing Functional Household Tap Water Connection (FHTC) to every rural household by 2024.
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