Maharashtra has been recognised as the best-performing state in India for water conservation and sustainable resource management at the 6th National Water Awards 2024, reinforcing its position as a national leader in climate-resilient governance. Navi Mumbai, representing the state’s urban excellence, secured the top rank in the Best Urban Local Body category for its robust and inclusive water management practices.
The awards, instituted by the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, aim to highlight best practices that encourage efficient water use and inspire replicable models across the country. Maharashtra’s consistent focus on community-led watershed programmes, large-scale desilting, and wastewater recycling initiatives have set benchmarks in decentralised water management. A senior state official said Maharashtra’s recognition underscores its efforts to integrate water security into urban development policy. “Our approach combines traditional conservation wisdom with new technology — from rainwater harvesting to greywater reuse — ensuring both rural and urban sustainability,” the official noted.
Among urban local bodies, Navi Mumbai emerged as a model for efficient and equitable water systems, leveraging smart infrastructure and citizen engagement. Experts credited the city’s investment in advanced monitoring systems, rainwater harvesting, and wastewater treatment for enabling a circular water economy that aligns with India’s sustainability goals. The Kanifnath Water User Association from Nashik also earned national recognition, ranking second in the Best Water User Association category. The association’s participatory approach to irrigation and community governance has improved agricultural efficiency and groundwater recharge in semi-arid regions.
The awards form part of the government’s larger mission for a “Jal Samridh Bharat” — a water-secure and self-reliant nation. This year, the ministry received over 750 entries across 10 categories, from state-level initiatives to panchayat and institutional projects. A total of 46 winners were chosen following field assessments by the Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board. Scheduled to be presented at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 18 November 2025, the awards ceremony will see the President of India honouring the winners. Industry
Maharashtra’s achievement signals a larger shift in India’s urban governance narrative — from reactive water management to proactive resilience planning. By linking water security with economic and environmental sustainability, the state provides a replicable model for inclusive urban development. As climate change intensifies the pressure on water resources, experts emphasise the need for cities to adopt similar long-term strategies rooted in circular water use, equity, and local participation. Maharashtra’s success story, they said, could help shape the blueprint for a truly sustainable urban India.
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