Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil today said that water security is the shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including citizens, government and industry. The Minister was addressing the valedictory session of the 9th India International Water Week 2026 in New Delhi. Mr Patil highlighted the importance of public participation in water conservation. He said that challenges related to water can only be resolved through cooperation between countries and institutions. He also stressed that the benefits of research and development and innovation in the sector must be implemented in a manner such that they reach the ground level. The Minister also called for Jan Bhagidari in implementation of initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission, Namami Gange, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), and ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ to achieve sustainable results. Mr Patil said that the five-day event provided a platform to learn from each other and jointly seek better solutions.
Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna said that water security brings safe and reliable drinking water for every household and covers sanitation, clean surroundings and proper management of wastewater. The Minister highlighted that Jai Jeevan Mission has brought major changes in rural India by taking drinking water to the homes of billions of families. He underlined that protecting local water sources, recharging groundwater and planning for local water security must become a part of the everyday approach. Mr Somanna further said that safe management of grey water and waste water is essential to protecting water sources and public health.
Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said that a developed India will require water systems that are efficient, reliable, safe and resilient. Mr Choudhary underlined that the real test of climate resilience lies in how effectively water systems perform under changing and uncertain conditions. Highlighting the initiatives of the Ministry, he said that Namami Gange has demonstrated an integrated approach to river regeneration, bringing together pollution abatement, ecological restoration, environmental flows and sustainable river management.
The 9th India International Water Week 2026 was held on the theme of Climate Resilient Water Management. The event brought together governments, international and multilateral organisations, research and academic institutions, industry, civil society, start-ups, innovators and young professionals. It provided a platform for policy dialogue, technology demonstration, knowledge exchange, networking, business tie-ups and new collaborations.
