Andhra Pradesh pushes ‘One Water’ vision at IFAT India 2026

Andhra Pradesh has showcased its initiatives in urban water security, wastewater reuse, climate resilience and technology-driven urban management at IFAT India 2026 in Mumbai, positioning integrated water planning as a key component of future-ready cities.A high-level State delegation comprising officials from the urban development, public health and sanitation sectors is participating in the three-day event. The delegation is led by S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, and includes B. Sunil Kumar Reddy, Managing Director, Swachha Andhra Corporation.IFAT India brings together policymakers, municipal authorities, utilities, technology providers and experts to discuss solutions for water and wastewater management, sanitation, solid waste, recycling and the circular economy.Speaking on “Why One Water Matters for India’s Urban Future”, Mr. Suresh Kumar said the approach should be “One Water, One City, One Future: Reimagining Urban Water for Viksit Bharat 2047”.He underlined the growing pressure on urban water resources amid rapid urbanisation. Around 55% of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, a share that is expected to rise to 68% by 2050. India’s urban population is projected to increase from about 480 million in 2020 to 951 million by 2050, making water security an integral part of urban planning, he said.The future of urban water security was not about finding more water for cities, but about designing cities that need less, lose less, reuse more, absorb more and predict better, he said.Mr. Suresh Kumar called for a shift from the conventional linear model of water management to a circular approach based on conservation, capture, treatment, reuse, recharge and retention.Water supply, drainage, roads, lakes and public spaces should not be planned in isolation but treated as interconnected components of the urban system, he said. Published - September 09, 2026 08:40 pm IST