New Delhi : Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday emphasized the need to transform water conservation into a mass movement to eliminate Vidarbha’s image as a farmer suicide-prone region and ensure long-term water prosperity in villages across the region.
Addressing a press conference in Nagpur ahead of the silver jubilee celebrations of Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha, Shri Gadkari announced the organisation of the “Jalsamvad” and “Jalkranti” conferences on May 17 and 18, 2026. MLAs Charansing Thakur and Umesh Yawalkar were also present during the media interaction.
Highlighting the importance of efficient water management, Shri Gadkari said India does not face a shortage of water resources, but rather a lack of proper planning and management. He stressed that sustainable water management can be achieved through organic farming, drip irrigation, and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture.
The Union Minister pointed out that the use of soil excavated from farm ponds for national highway construction has significantly improved groundwater levels in western Vidarbha districts such as Akola, Washim, and Buldhana. He noted that these efforts have encouraged farmers to adopt improved cropping patterns suited to local water availability.
Shri Gadkari underlined the importance of public participation in water conservation initiatives, stating that while non-governmental organisations play a key role, active involvement of citizens is equally essential. He informed that river and stream deepening works are being undertaken with public support in groundwater-deficient “dark zone” areas including Warud-Morshi and Katol-Narkhed to strengthen water conservation and groundwater recharge efforts.
He also appealed to local self-government bodies to contribute actively to the campaign and support sustainable water conservation initiatives across the region.
Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha has been working in the field of water conservation for the past 25 years, and its “Tamaswada Model” has received recognition across the country for its effective approach to water management.
As part of its silver jubilee celebrations, the organisation will host two national-level conferences in Nagpur — “Nagpur Jalsamvad 2026” on May 17 and the “Jalkranti Conference” on May 18.
The “Nagpur Jalsamvad 2026” conference will be held at Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Auditorium in Civil Lines on May 17 at 4 PM. The event will focus on the theme “Water Conservation as a Solution for a Farmer Suicide-Free Vidarbha” and will deliberate on water scarcity, irrigation challenges, and economic stability for farmers in the region.
The conference will be chaired by Shri Nitin Gadkari and attended by several eminent personalities, including environmentalist Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, social worker Umashankar Pandey, and Sethpal Singh. Water experts and public representatives from across the country are also expected to participate.
On May 18, the “Jalkranti Conference” will be organised at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Auditorium in Reshimbagh, where the organisation’s 25-year journey and successful initiatives such as the “Tamaswada Pattern” will be reviewed.
A major attraction of the conference will be the participation of actor and Paani Foundation founder Aamir Khan, along with Nana Patekar and actor-social activist Makarand Anaspure.
Several dignitaries, including Maharashtra Minister for Soil and Water Conservation Sanjay Rathod and academic leaders from agricultural and regional universities, will also attend the event. A large number of farmers and village sarpanches from Vidarbha are expected to participate in the conference.
The organisers informed that detailed discussions on water conservation, groundwater recharge, and the organisation’s work over the last two and a half decades will also be held after the main programme on May 18.
On the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations, books including Jalparva, Jalkranti, Krishikalyan, and Corridors of Water Security will also be released.