New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the valedictory session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Water in New Delhi, the first in a series of departmental summits meant to strengthen cooperation between the Centre and the states on national priorities. The summit, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, brought together ministers and senior officials from states and union territories to discuss India’s water security.
Modi said the summit should not remain a one-off exercise. He asked that the actionable, time-bound points that came out of the two days of discussion be followed up through a continuous process of review and learning.
Urban water planning and dam safety
He called for sensitising urban local bodies to the water challenges thrown up by urbanisation, including population growth and future demand, and suggested holding similar “Chintan Shivirs” — brainstorming sessions — for urban bodies. He also pushed for wider use of water-saving technologies, along with dedicated exhibitions and workshops, including exposure to global best practices, to help Indian manufacturers scale up efficient solutions.
On de-silting, Modi called for it to become a regular programme with clear criteria and standard operating procedures. On dam safety, he stressed rigorous preparedness ahead of every monsoon, adherence to prescribed precautions, and building awareness among schoolchildren, including through changes to the curriculum.
Jal Utsav and inter-state study visits
Emphasising Jan Bhagidari, or public participation, Modi suggested promoting “Jal Utsav” — a water festival — to build greater public awareness of conservation. He also called for strengthening knowledge and capacity on water management and governance in universities and other higher education institutions.
He proposed structured inter-state study visits involving public representatives, officials and farmers, so that successful interventions in one state could be studied and replicated elsewhere.
AI for water data, and lessons from Gujarat
Modi called for robust water data governance, with data from across the sector brought together, systematically managed, analysed and put to use. He recommended using artificial intelligence for data collection and analysis through a uniform format, and stressed anticipatory, integrated planning to tackle water scarcity, including through greater use of treated water in agriculture and industry.
Drawing on his time as Gujarat’s chief minister, Modi said instances of water scarcity could be turned into opportunities through systematic planning, commitment and the deployment of adequate resources and capable officers.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil listed four key outcomes from the summit: faster completion of water infrastructure projects, strengthening water conservation as a sustained people’s movement, ensuring the long-term sustainability of drinking-water sources, and institutionalising effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking-water schemes.