Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the valedictory session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Water organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on September 2, 2026. This summit marked the first in a series envisioned by the Prime Minister to strengthen the spirit of Team India, deepen cooperative federalism, and foster collective ownership of national priorities through closer collaboration between the Centre and States. The event brought together Ministers and senior officials from States and Union Territories for focused deliberations on various dimensions of India's water security.
Prime Minister emphasized that actionable and time-bound outcomes emerging from the summit should be pursued through a continuous process of review and follow-up, suggesting the summit should not remain a one-time exercise. He called for sensitizing Urban Local Bodies to challenges arising from urbanization, including population growth and future water requirements, and recommended organizing similar Chintan Shivirs for them.
Key recommendations included greater adoption of water-saving technologies, dedicated exhibitions and workshops with exposure to global best practices, and promoting "Jal Utsav" to create greater public awareness on water conservation through Jan Bhagidari. On operational aspects, PM Modi called for making de-silting a regular program with clear criteria and SOPs, and emphasized rigorous dam safety preparedness before every monsoon with awareness incorporation in educational curricula.
For capacity building, the Prime Minister suggested strengthening water management knowledge in universities and higher educational institutions, and structured inter-State study-visits involving public representatives, officials and farmers to facilitate practical learning and replication of successful interventions.
On data governance, PM Modi called for robust water data management with systematic collection, analysis and utilization through effective use of AI with uniform formats. He also stressed anticipatory and integrated planning to address water scarcity through suitable utilization of treated water for agriculture and industrial purposes.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti Shri C. R. Patil highlighted four key 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 institutionalizing effective operation and maintenance of rural drinking-water schemes.