Minister CR Patil warns urban water consumption is at unsustainable levels
Urban households in India consume up to 2 lakh litres of water annually, raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil said at a business forum in Surat this week.
Speaking at Corporate Connections India’s “Big Hairy Audacious Forum (BHAF)” held in Surat recently, Patil noted that urban residents use an average of 135 litres of water per day. “If current consumption patterns continue, will there be enough water for future generations?” he asked, highlighting the urgency of efficient water management.
Patil outlined the discrepancy between India’s water availability and storage capacity. While the country receives approximately 4,000 million cubic metres (MCM) of rainfall annually against a requirement of 1,120 MCM, its storage capacity is limited to around 750 MCM. This shortfall, he said, has increased reliance on groundwater, resulting in declining water tables.
The minister encouraged businesses and entrepreneurs to adopt rainwater harvesting measures to recharge groundwater and reduce pressure on existing water resources.
The two-day forum brought together entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders from across India to discuss leadership, growth, and the future of business. Actor Arjun Kapoor, one of the event’s speakers, emphasised the importance of connection and perspective.
He noted that the true strength of an artist lies in building emotional connections with audiences and stressed that effective money management is a skill that must be learned.
National Directors of Corporate Connections India, Gaurav VK Singhvi and Yash Vasant, said the forum aims to foster trust and collaboration among entrepreneurs beyond traditional networking.
The event featured sessions by industry leaders, including Hitesh Doshi, Amit Jain, Ravi Kant, and Vaishali Wagle, focusing on scaling businesses and leadership strategies. A highlight was a panel discussion on “Scaling from Rs 100 crore to Rs 1000 crore.” The forum concluded with an awards ceremony recognising contributions from members of the Corporate Connections India community.
