HDO plans water treatment, supply projects in Afghanistan

Sambit Datta

Mumbai, Jan 6: Hindustan Dorr Oliver (HDO) is planning to venture into war-ravaged Afganistan for sewage and water, industrial effluent treatment projects for supply of fresh water.

Said HDO managing director, Suresh Dadlani: “With globalisation, HDO is positioning itself as a complete engineering solutions provider. HDO has been a front runner and has expertise in water and waste management, setting up projects both in India and abroad. We plan to foray into sewage and water treatment plants and industrial effluent treatment for easy supply of water in Afganistan.”

“The company will be sending a team to Afganistan for studying and evaluating the viability of the projects. The organisation pledges to fulfil the expectation of our customers and provide them with products and services that would meet their exacting requirements,” he said.

The size of the project can be estimated from recent orders bagged by the company from Iraq costing 40 million euro. Added Mr Dadlani: “It may be noted that water and waste management is a priority sector not only in India, but also in developing countries. It is estimated that in India, projects in these sectors would see a turnover in excess of $50 billion during the next ten years in India and HDO is well on its way to being a significant partner in the process.”

HDO is presently engaged in the business of engineering consultancy for capital intensive industries, undertaking turnkey projects and manufacturing and supply of equipments for various industries such as pulp and paper, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, mineral benefication, water and waste management.

The company is also in talks with French engineering company, EMO, for a possible technological tie-up for sledge handling equipments. The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for technical collaboration with the Belgium-based Seghers NV. The company is also working out the possibility of venturing into mineral water business, though nothing has been finalised yet. HDO may leverage upon Shaw Wallace’s marketing and distribution network for selling its products.