RECYCLING FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Yogen Lal, CEO - Water, Welspun Enterprises Ltd, discusses water needs

- Yogen Lal, CEO - Water, Welspun Enterprises Ltd

How critical is the current demand-supply situation for water in India, both for domestic and industrial use?

India's water resources are under a challenge due to rapid population growth, urbanization and industrialization. With over 1.5 billion people and a vast livestock population, India's water demand continues to soar, fuelled by urbanization, population growth, and economic development. Despite substantial monsoon rainfall, the uneven distribution of water and insufficient storage infrastructure has led to significant stress on water availability.

As the demand for water has been ever-rising, the government is aggressively pushing initiatives to ensure 24/7 water supply in more cities. Programs like AMRUT and the Jal Jeevan Mission are at the forefront, aiming to provide safe drinking water access at every doorstep across the country. All the states and the majority of urban local bodies are already implementing these projects.

In the recent Union Budget for FY 2024-25, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) received an allocation of Rs 984 billion, marking a 2% increase year-over-year. Of this, Rs 699 billion is allocated for the Jal Jeevan Mission and National Rural Drinking Water Mission, while Rs 72 billion is earmarked for the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).

Additionally, the central government, in collaboration with states and multilateral development banks, is driving urban infrastructure projects, including water supply and sewage treatment in 100 major cities.

Agriculture consumes 78% of the nation's water, with groundwater supplying 45% of irrigation and 80% of domestic needs. However, states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi are facing critical groundwater depletion due to over-extraction. Yet, through rainwater harvesting, improved irrigation techniques, and robust government efforts, India is actively working to reverse these trends.