WABAG Hosts National Conference on “Transforming Cities Through Responsibility” to Advance One City One Operator Model

VA TECH WABAG LIMITED (WABAG), a global leader in water and wastewater solutions, successfully hosted the National Conference on One City One Operator (OCOO) in Agra under the central theme: “Transforming Cities Through Responsibility – One Operator. One Solution. One Future.” The event brought together senior government officials, policy experts, utilities, industry leaders, and WABAG’s top leadership for a high-impact evening of dialogue, insight, and shared vision for India’s urban sanitation future

The conference was inaugurated with a Welcome Address by Shri Shailesh Kumar, CEO – India Cluster, VA TECH WABAG, setting the tone for the evening. A short film showcasing the successful implementation of the OCOO model in Agra and Ghaziabad followed, offering attendees a glimpse into the transformative potential of unified operational responsibility. The Keynote Address was delivered by Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, who emphasized the importance of integrated governance and accountability in urban sanitation systems.

Shri G. Asok Kumar, IAS, former Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), delivered the Special Address, reinforcing the role of OCOO in India’s evolving water infrastructure mission.

The highlight of the conference was a high-impact Panel Discussion on the theme “OCOO – Value Proposition and Roadmap for Indian Cities.” The session was moderated by Shri Rajiv Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, VA TECH WABAG, and featured a distinguished panel of experts including Shri Ramakant Pandey (IAS), Shri Ankit Khandelwal (IAS), Shri Rohit Kakkar from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Dr. Uday Kelkar of NJS Engineers India, and Dr. Pankajkumar Sampat from One Water Foundation. Together, they explored the challenges, benefits, and replicability of lifecycle-based operation and maintenance models for city-wide wastewater systems.

Throughout the evening, the conference echoed key themes such as the empowerment of cities through unified operational responsibility, the reinforcement of lifecycle-based O&M and sustainability, and the importance of building resilient and citizen-centric sanitation systems. A dedicated spotlight was placed on the success of the OCOO model in Agra and Ghaziabad, further strengthening its case as a scalable and sustainable framework for India’s urban future.

The event was also graced by several esteemed dignitaries including Shri Shailendra Kumar Singh, IAS, Divisional Commissioner of Agra; Shri Aravind Mallappa Bangari (IAS); Shri R. K. Pankaj, Chief Engineer, UP Jal Nigam (Agra); Shri R. S. Tyagi, Ex-Member (Drainage), DJB/NDMC Advisor; Shri Bhupesh Kumar, Chief Engineer, DJB; Dr. Vinod Tare, Professor at IIT Kanpur; and Shri R. K. Choudhary, Ex-SMCG and Tender Cell Head. Their valuable presence and contributions further enriched the conference.

The successful hosting of this national conference once again affirms WABAG’s commitment to driving responsible innovation, scalable governance models, and sustainable infrastructure for the cities of tomorrow.