PM Modi Chairs Water Summit, Calls for Jal Utsav and AI-Led Data Governance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the valedictory session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Water, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The summit is the first in a planned series of departmental summits aimed at strengthening the spirit of Team India and deepening cooperative federalism through closer Centre-State collaboration.

Ministers and senior officials from states and Union Territories participated in deliberations on various aspects of India's water security. The Prime Minister appreciated the intensive discussions and stressed that actionable, time-bound outcomes should be pursued through a continuous process of review and learning, rather than treating the summit as a one-time exercise.

Modi called for sensitising Urban Local Bodies to challenges arising from urbanisation, including population growth and future water requirements, and suggested organising similar Chintan Shivirs for them. He also advocated for greater adoption of water-saving technologies, with dedicated exhibitions and workshops to expose Indian manufacturers to global best practices.

Emphasising Jan Bhagidari, the Prime Minister suggested promoting 'Jal Utsav' to raise public awareness about water conservation. He called for making de-silting a regular programme with clear criteria and standard operating procedures. On dam safety, he stressed rigorous preparedness before every monsoon and creating awareness among school students, including through educational curricula.

Modi further recommended strengthening knowledge and capacity on water management in universities and higher educational institutions. He suggested structured inter-state study visits involving public representatives, officials, and farmers to facilitate practical learning and replication of successful interventions.

On data governance, the Prime Minister called for bringing water-sector data together, systematically managing and analysing it, and utilising AI for data collection through a uniform format. He also stressed anticipatory and integrated planning to address water scarcity, including suitable utilisation of treated water for agriculture and industry.

Drawing on his experience as Gujarat Chief Minister, Modi noted that water scarcity instances could be transformed into opportunities through systematic planning, commitment, and deployment of adequate resources and capable officers.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil highlighted four key summit outcomes: accelerated completion of water infrastructure projects; strengthening water conservation as a sustained people's movement; ensuring long-term sustainability of drinking-water sources; and institutionalising effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking-water schemes.