-National Workshop to Bring Together Government, Industry and Academia to Strengthen India’s Water Research Ecosystem

NEW DELHI, May 31 (H.S.): Eminent representatives from the government, industry, academia, and research institutions will converge at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on Monday for a national workshop aimed at strengthening India’s water research and innovation ecosystem.

According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the National Workshop on Research and Development in the Water Sector is designed to catalyse the next wave of water innovation in the country and promote collaborative solutions to emerging water-related challenges.

The one-day workshop will witness the launch of the ‘Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas for Water (MAHA Mission)’ and the Bharat-WIN (Water Innovation) Portal, alongside the signing of a landmark agreement between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These initiatives are expected to provide significant momentum to water innovation, research, and start-up development across the country.

The workshop will be jointly inaugurated by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, and Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary.

Several senior officials and stakeholders will also participate in the event, including the Secretary of the Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, the Secretaries of the Departments concerned with Water Conservation and Agriculture, and Dr. V. Narayanan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Water Mission.

A major highlight of the event will be the launch of the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas for Water (MAHA Mission), a joint initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The mission aims to promote cutting-edge research in critical areas such as drinking water, climate change adaptation, water-use efficiency, and sustainable water management.

In addition, the Ministry will launch an open call for start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the Bharat-WIN Portal, encouraging the development of innovative products, technologies, and prototypes for the water sector.

During the workshop, a participatory digital platform titled “Catch the Rain” will also be unveiled. The platform will enable citizens, local bodies, and community organisations to document, showcase, and monitor water conservation and rainwater harvesting initiatives across the country.

To strengthen the use of advanced satellite-based technologies for water resource assessment and monitoring, the Ministry of Jal Shakti and ISRO will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Under this collaboration, 24 priority areas have already been identified for joint action and technological intervention.

The workshop will feature a series of technical sessions focusing on key issues, including groundwater management, river morphology, floodplain mapping, dam safety, urban aquifer mapping, and the application of remote sensing technologies in water governance and resource management.

Participants will also assess the impact of research and development initiatives undertaken in the water sector over the past 12 years and deliberate extensively on strategic priorities for the upcoming 16th Finance Commission cycle.

A special exhibition will be organised on the sidelines of the event, providing research institutions, start-ups, and MSMEs with a major platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies, innovative solutions, and sustainable approaches developed for effective water management and conservation.

The workshop is expected to serve as a key forum for fostering collaboration, promoting technological innovation, and shaping the future direction of India’s water security and sustainability agenda.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar