New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired the valedictory session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Water, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, bringing together Ministers and senior officials from States and Union Territories to deliberate on key issues concerning India’s water security.
The summit is the first in a series of Departmental Summits envisaged by the Prime Minister to strengthen the spirit of Team India, deepen cooperative federalism and promote collective ownership of national priorities through closer coordination between the Centre and the States.
Addressing the concluding session, Prime Minister Modi appreciated the extensive deliberations held over the two days and stressed that the actionable and time-bound outcomes emerging from the summit must be followed up through a continuous mechanism of review, implementation and learning. He emphasised that the summit should not remain a one-time initiative.
Focus on Urban Water Management
The Prime Minister called for greater awareness among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) about the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, population growth and rising future water requirements. He suggested that similar Chintan Shivirs should be organised for Urban Local Bodies.
He also underlined the need to accelerate the adoption of water-saving technologies. To support this effort, he proposed dedicated exhibitions and workshops showcasing global best practices, enabling Indian manufacturers and other stakeholders to develop and scale up efficient water-management solutions.
Strengthening Jan Bhagidari in Water Conservation
Highlighting the importance of Jan Bhagidari, Prime Minister Modi suggested promoting “Jal Utsav” as a means of increasing public awareness and participation in water conservation.
He also called for making de-silting a regular activity and developing clear criteria and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the exercise.
On dam safety, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of rigorous preparedness ahead of every monsoon, strict adherence to prescribed safety precautions and greater public awareness. He suggested that awareness about dam safety could also be promoted among school students by incorporating relevant themes into educational curricula.
Universities to Strengthen Water Governance Knowledge
Prime Minister Modi further emphasised the need to expand knowledge and capacity-building in water management and governance across universities and higher educational institutions.
He proposed structured inter-State study visits involving public representatives, government officials and farmers. Such visits, he said, could promote practical learning and help replicate successful water-management interventions across different regions.
Push for Integrated Water Data and AI
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of robust water data governance, calling for water-sector data to be brought together, systematically managed, analysed and effectively utilised.
He recommended leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data collection and analysis through a uniform data format. He also called for anticipatory and integrated planning to tackle water scarcity, including greater utilisation of treated water for agricultural and industrial purposes.
Drawing on his experience as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi observed that water scarcity could be transformed into an opportunity through systematic planning, sustained commitment, adequate resources and the deployment of capable officials.
Four Key Outcomes Identified
Union Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil highlighted four major outcomes of the summit:
- Accelerating the completion of water infrastructure projects.
- Strengthening water conservation as a sustained people’s movement.
- Ensuring the long-term sustainability of drinking-water sources.
- Institutionalising effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking-water schemes.
The summit underscored the need for closer Centre-State coordination and sustained collective action to strengthen India’s water security and ensure the efficient and sustainable management of the country’s water resources.