New Delhi, September 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the closing session of the National Water Department Summit on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for the central and state governments to work together with a spirit of “Team India” to ensure the country’s water security. He stated that the actionable points agreed upon during the summit should be continuously reviewed and monitored.
The two-day summit, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, saw participation from ministers and senior officials from various states and Union Territories. This summit marks the first in a series of departmental conferences envisioned by the Prime Minister, aimed at strengthening cooperative federalism and enhancing collective participation on national priorities.
PM Modi asserted that this summit should not be a one-time event but should establish a framework for ongoing review and follow-up on its recommendations.
He highlighted the importance of making urban local bodies sensitive to water management, especially in light of rapid urbanization, population growth, and future water needs. He also suggested organizing similar brainstorming sessions for urban bodies.
The Prime Minister called for the widespread adoption of modern water-saving technologies. He proposed hosting exhibitions and workshops to familiarize Indian manufacturers and stakeholders with global best practices, enabling them to develop effective solutions.
Emphasizing public participation, the Prime Minister suggested launching a “Water Festival” campaign to raise awareness about water conservation. He proposed incorporating regular de-silting of reservoirs into this campaign, along with establishing clear standards and SOPs for the process.
Addressing dam safety, PM Modi stressed the importance of thorough preparations before each monsoon, adherence to safety standards, and including topics related to water and dam safety in school curricula.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen knowledge and capacity building in water management and governance at universities and higher education institutions. Additionally, he recommended organizing study tours for state representatives, officials, and farmers to adopt successful models in other states.
The Prime Minister pointed out the necessity for robust data governance in the water sector, advocating for systematic collection, analysis, and utilization of water-related data. He emphasized the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for standardized data collection and analysis.
Reflecting on his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, PM Modi noted that with planned strategies, commitment, and capable officials, water crises could be transformed into opportunities.
During the closing session, Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil outlined four key conclusions from the summit: expediting water infrastructure projects, transforming water conservation into a people’s movement, ensuring long-term sustainability of drinking water sources, and institutionalizing the effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking water schemes.
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