Growing Industrial Water Demand: The industrial sector’s water demand in India is increasing by about 2 percent per annum. Significant industrial projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC) contribute to this rise, underscoring the need for effective water management in industrial planning.
Challenges in Water Resource Planning: Current industrial policies prioritize land acquisition and budget allocation, often neglecting efficient water resource planning. This leads to unregulated and unsustainable water usage, particularly groundwater, which severely impacts local water levels, the environment, and communities.
Geospatial Technology Applications: Geospatial technologies, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS), offer powerful tools for mapping and monitoring groundwater levels and usage. These technologies can provide real-time, precise data for better water resource management and planning, aiding in sustainable industrial growth.
Integrated Water Management Systems: Initiatives like the India-WRIS platform by ISRO and the Ministry of Water Resources monitor reservoirs and provide comprehensive water resource data. However, these platforms currently focus more on urban and agricultural water use, highlighting the need to integrate industrial water usage data into such systems for more effective regulation and management.
Importance of National and State Support: Implementing geospatial technologies in water management requires substantial investment, both financially and in skilled labor. National support is essential for state-level investments to ensure institutional integration, allowing multiple departments to access and contribute to a unified information repository. This coordinated effort is crucial for achieving sustainable industrial development and meeting India’s economic goals.
