Puducherry, a coastal city in India, is at a crossroads. Rapid urbanization has stretched its physical infrastructure to its limits, raising critical questions about sustainability. The city’s water supply, drainage and sewage systems, and solid waste management are under increasing pressure, threatening its socio-economic stability and environmental health. A new study by Sarika Bahadure from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology offers a detailed assessment of these challenges and proposes a roadmap for improvement.
Bahadure’s research, published in the *E3S Web of Conferences* (translated from French as *Environment, Energy and Sustainability Web Conferences*), evaluates Puducherry’s infrastructure using Service Level Benchmarking (SLB) and on-site surveys. The findings reveal a mixed picture: while water supply shows high to moderate sustainability, drainage and sewage (D&S), as well as solid waste management (SWM), lag behind with moderately low to low sustainability levels.
“Puducherry’s water supply system is performing relatively well, but there’s a clear need for intervention in drainage and waste management,” Bahadure notes. “These sectors are critical not just for public health but also for attracting investment and ensuring long-term economic growth.”
The study employs a five-point sustainability scale, assessing availability, operation and maintenance (O&M), and green aspects—such as energy efficiency and environmental impact. For water supply, 13 indicators were used; D&S had 11, and SWM had 8. The cumulative indexing highlights gaps between demand and supply, particularly in areas where aging infrastructure struggles to keep pace with urban expansion.
For the energy sector, the implications are significant. Efficient drainage and sewage systems reduce energy consumption by minimizing water loss and optimizing treatment processes. Similarly, improved solid waste management can lower energy costs by enhancing recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives. Bahadure’s proposed strategic roadmap includes intelligent practices—such as smart metering for water supply and decentralized waste management systems—to bridge these gaps.
“The findings suggest that Puducherry can learn from global best practices while tailoring solutions to its coastal context,” Bahadure adds. “By integrating sustainable technologies and improving O&M, the city can set an example for other coastal urban centers in India and beyond.”
The research underscores the urgency of upgrading infrastructure not just for resilience but also for economic competitiveness. As Puducherry looks to the future, the study serves as a blueprint for balancing growth with sustainability—one where infrastructure isn’t just a cost center but a driver of opportunity.