NITI Aayog has initiated the formulation of a national roadmap to accelerate India&rsquo;s transition toward a circular water economy, focusing on wastewater reuse, innovative financing, and technology-driven solutions through public-private and international collaborations.
The initiative was discussed at a two-day National Workshop on &ldquo;Reuse of Treated Wastewater in India&rdquo;, held in Bengaluru on November 6&ndash;7. The event was jointly organised by NITI Aayog, the Government of Karnataka, and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) under the Aayog&rsquo;s State Support Mission.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing India&rsquo;s emerging freshwater crisis, NITI Aayog Member Dr. Vinod Paul called for a state-level policy framework to promote water reuse, establish enforceable common standards, and integrate health, behavioural change, and emerging sectoral needs such as data centres and healthcare facilities.
According to an official statement, scaling up treated wastewater reuse offers a transformative opportunity to enhance water security, reduce freshwater dependency, and strengthen climate resilience, aligning with the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.
During the workshop, states presented best practices to showcase successful reuse models:
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Gujarat highlighted scalable reuse systems.
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Delhi shared its revenue-generating water reuse initiatives.
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Indore showcased a multi-sectoral reuse approach.
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Karnataka demonstrated rural-industrial integration models.
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Tamil Nadu presented tertiary-treated water solutions for industries.
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Maharashtra emphasised technology-enabled greywater management.
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Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh discussed the state&rsquo;s innovative initiatives to tackle the 2024 water crisis, including lake rejuvenation through treated wastewater and using reclaimed water to meet industrial demand. She urged collective action to develop strategic, scalable reuse frameworks for national implementation.
Experts at the workshop underscored the need for robust policies by 2030, standardised guidelines for end-use applications, and the establishment of grid infrastructure and real-time water quality monitoring systems. They also stressed the importance of decentralised treatment systems, cost-effective technologies, and capacity building in urban utilities.
The workshop concluded with a field visit to BWSSB&rsquo;s K&amp;C Valley and Cubbon Park Sewage Treatment Plants, where participants observed advanced wastewater treatment and reuse technologies in action.
The event saw participation from senior officials of 18 states, policy experts, industry leaders, academics, UNICEF representatives, and delegates from Israel and the Singapore Water Association. The discussions aimed to identify actionable strategies for expanding treated wastewater reuse across sectors &mdash; from agriculture and domestic non-potable use to industry &mdash; in alignment with India&rsquo;s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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&mdash;IANS

NITI Aayog charts roadmap to boost wastewater reuse for sustainable water security

NITI Aayog Plans Shift to Circular Water Economy

NITI Aayog charts roadmap to boost wastewater reuse for sustainable water security

November 9, 2025 | 14:36 IST