The Ministry of Jal Shakti convened the All India Water Secretaries’ Conference in New Delhi to review eight priority areas, including water conservation, dam safety, irrigation reforms, Catch the Rain 2026 campaign, and groundwater management. Union Minister C. R. Patil urged states to accelerate sustainable water resource management.
Key Highlights
- Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil chaired the conference with participation from all States and Union Territories.
- Discussions focused on eight national priorities, including dam safety, irrigation reforms and water conservation.
- Three important water management documents were released to promote reuse of treated water and groundwater conservation.
- States resolved to implement time-bound measures for achieving “Jal Surakshit, Bharat Surakshit.”
The Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the All India Water Secretaries’ Conference in New Delhi, bringing together nearly 200 senior officials from States, Union Territories and the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. The conference served as a key platform for reviewing India’s water governance priorities and strengthening coordination between the Centre and the States.
Chairing the conference, Union Minister for Jal Shakti C. R. Patil, along with Minister of State Raj Bhushan Choudhary, emphasised that water security is central to India’s economic growth, food security, environmental sustainability and public welfare. The meeting reviewed strategies to improve scientific and sustainable management of the country’s water resources amid the challenges of climate change, groundwater depletion and rapid urbanisation.
A major focus of the conference was the review of eight priority agenda items, including the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) Scheme, the Catch the Rain 2026 campaign, revised project appraisal guidelines for irrigation and flood management projects, implementation of dam reservoir rule curves, the State Water Reforms Framework, completion of Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, progress of irrigation censuses and the framework for Model State Water Awards.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat appeal of 28 June 2026, the Minister urged States and Union Territories to intensify the #CatchTheRain 2026 campaign by promoting rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, restoration of traditional water bodies, afforestation and community participation. He also called for strengthening Water User Associations, improving irrigation efficiency and simplifying project approvals to accelerate irrigation and flood management projects.
During the conference, the Minister released three significant publications aimed at improving water governance and sustainable resource management. These included the City-level Action Plan for Reuse of Treated Water for Varanasi, the O&M Manual for Artificial Recharge and Ground Water Conservation Structures, jointly prepared by the National Water Mission and Central Ground Water Board, and the Schedule of Rates for Drilling and Allied Works Manual, prepared by the CGWB to promote transparency and standardisation.
The conference concluded with a collective commitment from the Centre and the States to ensure time-bound implementation of water sector reforms and strengthen national efforts towards “Jal Surakshit, Bharat Surakshit.” Secretary V. L. Kantha Rao thanked all participating States and Union Territories for their active cooperation and reaffirmed the importance of cooperative federalism in achieving India’s long-term water security goals.Conclusion
The conference reinforced the government’s commitment to integrated water resource management, dam safety, irrigation modernisation and public participation, paving the way for stronger Centre-State collaboration to secure India’s water future.
