Narendra Modi chairs National Departmental Summit on Water

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the concluding session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Water, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi. The summit aimed to strengthen cooperative federalism and collective responsibility for water security between the central government and states.

During the summit, the Prime Minister advocated for robust water data governance through the use of artificial intelligence and the adoption of water-saving technologies. He proposed the “Jal Utsav” movement to increase public awareness and suggested regularizing de-silting processes with standardized operating procedures. He also emphasized the need for urban local bodies to prepare for future water demands caused by population growth.

In a related political event, the Bharatiya Janata Party held a “Jal Manthan” workshop for ministers from 14 BJP-ruled states to enhance governance and the implementation of central welfare schemes at the grassroots level.

At the summit, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reported that the state has approved water infrastructure projects worth Rs 54,000 crore over the last two years, extending irrigation to 3.20 lakh hectares. Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javed Ahmed Rana highlighted the need for sustained coordination to expedite critical water infrastructure projects in the Union Territory.