MUMBAI: In recent remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Gujarat’s impressive strides in water management, showcasing its sustainable water infrastructure as a blueprint for India. This recognition stems from Gujarat’s long-term strategies, beginning in the early 2000s, to address its chronic water scarcity. Once dependent on external sources to meet basic water needs, the state has since developed a self-reliant and resilient water system that has transformed its landscape and economy.
Key to Gujarat’s success is its innovative multi-layered water distribution system, centered around the Narmada canal network. This system allows for efficient water transfer across regions, including Kutch, Saurashtra, and North Gujarat. Supporting this is the ambitious Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation (SAUNI) scheme, which diverts surplus water to replenish regional reservoirs and provide relief during droughts. The state has also established a water grid, enhancing equitable water distribution and improving availability during peak summer months.
Moreover, Gujarat has embraced non-traditional water sources to bolster climate resilience, investing in desalination plants along its coastline, which contribute over 370 million liters daily to the state’s supply. A recent focus on wastewater reuse further reduces dependence on freshwater, with the state’s Reuse of Treated Wastewater Policy facilitating the use of recycled water in industrial operations, making Gujarat a leader in India’s circular water economy.
With these initiatives, Gujarat not only secures water access for its people but also builds a model of sustainability that could serve as a guiding framework for other Indian states facing similar challenges.
C6N Web Team, Mumbai.
