In a bid to tap the growing water and waste water management opportunities in Gujarat, Delhi-based Earth Water (EA) Group is set to invest $5 million (roughly Rs 28 crore) for establishing a design and engineering centre in Ahmedabad.
The centre will take up testing, training and developing water and waste water management solutions for industries, government and retail consumers alike.
"Water contamination like flouride, nitrite and iron is high in Gujarat. The upcoming centre will develop new technology to deal with such contamination and will also provide water and waste water management solutions for nearby industries in an energy efficient way," said H Subramaniam, chief operating officer, EA Group.
According to Subramaniam, as against a national per capita water availability of 1900 cubic metres, Gujarat has around 1100 cubic metres which is alarming. "This showcases a huge opportunity for us to explore within the state. Moreover, Gujarat is growing rapidly as water management solutions manufacturing hub. Which is why, we have also set up an assembly unit in the state to cater to industries and government alike," he added.
Apart from investing in a design and engineering centre, EA Group is also open to inorganic growth, especially from within Gujarat, for which it has set aside a corpus of $ 20 million (Rs 110 crore approx.). Recently, the group divested around 20 per cent of its stake for $ 15 million (Rs 82 crore approx.) to a US-based water management firm.
Meanwhile, the group will be hosting its annual three day trade show 'India Water Expo 2013' at Ahmedabad in February 1-3, 2013.
