India’s water crisis is a complex and urgent challenge, driven by scarcity, pollution, and contamination—factors intensified by rapid urbanization and climate change. The country faces an acute need for strategic water management. Groundwater depletion, primarily due to over-extraction for agriculture, industry, and domestic use, has pushed resources to the brink. Erratic monsoons further exacerbate supply shortages. Meanwhile, rampant pollution—stemming from industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff—has rendered vast water reserves unfit for consumption. The presence of heavy metals, pathogens, and toxic chemicals heightens public health risks, disproportionately impacting rural communities.
To combat this crisis, conservation must take centre stage. Rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation, and wetland restoration can help preserve resources. Wastewater recycling and desalination can offer critical relief in water-stressed regions.
Technology is a game-changer in modern water management. AI-powered monitoring, IoT-enabled smart grids, and GIS mapping allow real-time tracking of water quality and distribution. Decentralized treatment plants and nanotechnology-driven filtration systems can dramatically enhance access to clean water.
A sustainable water ecosystem requires an integrated approach. Strengthening policies, enforcing stringent regulations, and fostering community participation are non-negotiable. Only through collective action can India safeguard its water future for generations to come.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Prof. M.L. Kansal, Professor, Department of Water Resources Development and Management, IIT Roorkee, delves into India’s water management landscape. He unpacks strategies to tackle water scarcity, highlights the transformative role of technology, and outlines solutions to eliminate Yamuna’s pollution. He also shares his insights on river integration and its potential impact. Here are the key takeaways from his compelling discussion.
Q: Water is a critical and sensitive resource, essential for the sustainability of any civilization. How would you assess the current state of water management in the country?
A: Water remains a fragmented and scarce resource. Everyone expects clean and sufficient water, yet few take responsibility for preserving it. We demand water as a right, but when we pollute it, we disown the waste. No one claims ownership of the contamination they create. The moment we acknowledge our waste as our own, we will cultivate water sensitivity—and only then will we ensure an adequate supply for all.
Q: Water scarcity remains a significant challenge, particularly in regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, where access to potable water is still a concern. How can we address these challenges?
A: There is no single solution—multiple strategies exist. One approach is to increase supply. Another is to reduce demand. By implementing both, we can effectively narrow the gap between supply and demand. Our goal is to bridge this gap. The key lies in valuing water. When we recognize its true worth, supply naturally rises while demand declines. This shift ensures a more balanced and sustainable water system.
Q: How can advancements in technology help address these issues and improve water availability and quality in such areas?
A: Take Delhi’s Yamuna River, for example. To ensure safe and adequate drinking water, we have installed radial collector wells, known as Rani wells. These wells utilize a natural filtration process, eliminating the need for costly treatment.
Here’s how it works: Water infiltrates beneath the riverbed and flows through slow sand filters before entering the pipes. The only treatment required is chlorination to prevent bacterial contamination—nothing more.
The only energy input needed is for pumping. With solar energy rapidly advancing, it now offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for water extraction. By leveraging solar power, we can efficiently pump and distribute water while minimizing operational costs.
For large-scale distribution, an efficient system is crucial. Reducing frictional losses in pipelines minimizes energy waste, expanding coverage to a larger population.
Ultimately, managing supply requires three key strategies: reducing head loss, ensuring safe water production, and curbing demand. By optimizing these factors, we can create a more efficient and sustainable water management system.
Q: The Yamuna River remains a focal point of discussions due to severe pollution and contamination. Are there any specific mechanisms, initiatives, or plans in place to restore its water quality and ensure long-term sustainability?
A: Awareness is crucial, but it’s not enough. People must become truly sensitive to the state of the Yamuna. When society cares deeply, it exerts pressure on decision-makers and the political system. That pressure compels action, ensuring the river gets the attention it deserves.
Recent elections proved this point—clean water became a political issue because the public demanded it. As citizens push for cleaner water, politicians are forced to respond. When both the government and the public take this seriously, real change becomes possible.
One immediate step is intercepting drains that pollute the Yamuna—not just at the point where they meet the river but right from their source. Targeted interventions at various points along these drains can prevent contamination before it reaches the river. By addressing pollution at its origin, we can ensure that water flowing into the Yamuna is safe for disposal.
Q: River interlinking has been proposed as a transformative solution to address water distribution challenges across the country. What is your perspective on its feasibility, potential benefits, and associated challenges?
A: River interlinking is already happening and has been for years. Take the Yamuna and Ganges, for example. The Eastern Yamuna Canal and the Upper Ganga Canal merge at one point, forming the Ganges Canal. This integration proves that interlinking is not a new concept—it has been successfully implemented.
However, public acceptance is key. In the past, people took pride in sharing resources. That mindset must return. If communities embrace the idea that giving benefits others without diminishing their own well-being, interlinking can thrive.
Rivers are national assets, not the property of any state or region. We must view them holistically, considering the country’s needs rather than narrow local interests. At the same time, national decisions must account for regional dynamics.
Rivers follow natural boundaries, not administrative ones. Yet, we continue making technical decisions based on political borders. The solution lies in basin-level planning and management—one that prioritizes hydrological realities over state boundaries. With this approach, we can achieve sustainable and effective water management.
