**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced two national water conferences, “Nagpur Jalsamvad-2026” and the “Jalkranti Conference,” to be held in Nagpur on May 17 and 18, 2026. Marking the silver jubilee of the Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha, these events aim to transform water conservation into a mass movement to eliminate water scarcity and farmer suicides in the Vidarbha region. The sessions will focus on sustainable irrigation, groundwater recharge, and the implementation of successful conservation models like the ‘Tamaswada Pattern.’
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Conference Schedule and Objectives**
* **Nagpur Jalsamvad 2026:** Scheduled for May 17 at 4:00 PM at Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Auditorium, focusing on water conservation as a solution for a farmer’s suicide-free Vidarbha.
* **Jalkranti Conference:** Scheduled for May 18 at 11:00 AM at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat auditorium to review 25 years of conservation initiatives and the ‘Tamaswada Pattern.’
* **Technical Deliberations:** An in-depth session on water conservation and groundwater recharge will take place on May 18 at 2:30 PM.
* **Knowledge Sharing:** The events will feature the release of four books: ‘Jalparva’, ‘Jalkranti’, ‘Krishikalyan’, and ‘Corridors of Water Security.’
**Strategic Water Management Approaches**
* **Technological Integration:** Emphasis on achieving water prosperity through organic farming, drip irrigation, and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture.
* **Infrastructure Synergy:** Use of soil excavated from farm ponds for national highway construction has successfully increased groundwater levels in Akola, Washim, and Buldhana.
* **Intervention in "Dark Zones":** Targeted deepening of rivers and streams is being conducted in groundwater-deficient areas such as Warud-Morshi and Katol-Narkhed.
* **The Tamaswada Model:** Promotion of this nationally recognized model developed by the Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha for effective water management.
**Advocacy and Participation**
* **Mass Movement:** Minister Gadkari asserts that while NGO participation is important, active public involvement is essential for regional water prosperity.
* **High-Profile Attendance:** Participants include water experts, Padma awardees, state ministers, and prominent figures such as Aamir Khan, Nana Patekar, and Makarand Anaspure.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers and Village Sarpanches**
**Impact**
They are the primary beneficiaries of improved irrigation solutions, economic stability, and the transition of Vidarbha from a suicide-prone zone to a water-prosperous region.
**Action Required**
Attend the Jalkranti Conference in large numbers and adopt modern agricultural practices like drip irrigation and updated cropping patterns.
**Local Self-Government Bodies**
**Impact**
These bodies are identified as pivotal stakeholders in the localized execution of conservation initiatives.
**Action Required**
Contribute significantly to water conservation projects and support the deepening of local water bodies through public participation.
**Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)**
**Impact**
NGOs are recognized as key partners in developing and scaling successful conservation models like the ‘Tamaswada Pattern.’
**Action Required**
Continue working in the field of water conservation and collaborate with the public to drive the "mass movement" requested by the Ministry.
**General Citizens**
**Impact**
The broader community is affected by regional water security and the long-term sustainability of natural resources.
**Action Required**
Participate actively in the movement and attend the scheduled conferences to support regional water dialogue.
Key Entities Referenced
Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha: An organization dedicated to water conservation in the Vidarbha region, celebrating its silver jubilee through the Jalsamvad and Jalkranti conferences.
Nagpur Jalsamvad-2026 and Jalkranti Conference: Two-phase national conferences organized to address water scarcity, irrigation issues, and promote a mass movement for water conservation.
Tamaswada Model: A successful water conservation pattern or initiative developed by the Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha that is recognized across India.
Vidarbha: The central geographic region in Maharashtra targeted for water prosperity initiatives to combat drought and address the issue of farmer suicides.
Nitin Gadkari: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways who chaired the press conference and appealed for public participation in water resource management.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Water conservation should become a mass
movement: appeals Union Minister Shri Nitin
Gadkari
‘Jal-samvad’ and ‘Jalkranti’ conferences to be organised in
Nagpur on 17th and 18th May
Posted On: 10 MAY 2026 6:27PM by PIB Mumbai
Nagpur, May 10, 2026
Union minister for road transport and highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari said that, to
remove the stigma of Vidarbha being known as a farmer suicide zone, form
Vidarbha and ensure water prosperity in the region’s villages, water conversation
should become a mass movement. On the occasion of the silver jubilee of Poorti
Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha, which works in the field of water
conservation in Vidarbha, the “Jalsamvad” (water dialogue) and “Jalkranti” (water-
revolution) conferences have been organized in Nagpur on May 17 and 18. Gadkari
was addressing a press conference held today to provide information about these
events. MLAs Charansing Thakur and Umesh Yawalkar were also present in the
press meet.Shri Gadkari further said that, we do not have water scarcity in the country; but we
lack proper planning and management of water resources. He also clarified that we
can achieve water management through organic farming, drip irrigation, and the
use of artificial intelligence in agriculture.
He pointed out that the use of soil excavated from farm ponds in the construction of
national highways has helped increase groundwater levels in the western Vidarbha
districts of Akola, Washim, and Buldhana. He also categorically mentioned that
farmers in the region have changed their cropping patterns accordingly. Participation
of non-governmental organisations in water conservation is important, but peoples’
active participation is equally valuable, hence; water conservation must become a
mass movement, asserted Shri Gadkari. He further stated that in the groundwater-
deficient “dark zone” areas of Warud-Morshi and Katol-Narkhed, conservation work
related to deepening rivers and streams is being carried out with public
participation, and through these efforts, water conservation projects are being
undertaken in the region. Gadkari also appealed to local self-government bodies to
contribute significantly to these initiatives.
Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha, is constantly working in water
conservation for the last 25 years. ‘Tamaswada Model’ developed by the
organisation is being recognized across the country.
Marking the silver jubilee year of the organization, two-day national conferences
have been organised in Nagpur. The silver jubilee celebrations will be held in two
phases — “Nagpur Jalsamvad-2026” on May 17, 2026, and the “Jalkranti
Conference” on May 18, 2026.
Prominent water experts, Padma awardees, and distinguished personalities from the
social sector from across the country are expected to participate in these events.On the first day of the silver jubilee celebrations, Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 4:00
PM, the national conference “Nagpur Jalsamvad 2026” will be organised at Dr.
Vasantrao Deshpande Auditorium in Civil Lines.
An in-depth discussion will be done on the theme, “Water conservation, as a
solution for a farmer’s suicide-free Vidharbha”. The national level symposium is
aimed to address water scarcity and find solutions to irrigation problems in Vidarbha
and ensure economic stability for farmers.
The programme will be chaired by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road
Transport and Highways. On this occasion, distinguished personalities such as Dr.
Anil Prakash Joshi (Dehradoon), Umashankar Pandey (Chitrakoot), and Sethpal
Singh (Saharnpur) will attend as special guests and share their guidance.
In addition, Keshob Krishna Chatradhara (Assam), Sanjay Kashyap (Centre for
water peace) water expert Mrs Swedevino Natso (Nagaland), and Ministers of State
Ashish Jaiswal and Dr. Pankaj Bhoyar will also be present.
On the next day, May 18, 2026, at 11.00 am, ‘Jalkranti Conference’ will be held at
Kavivarya Suresh Bhat auditorium in Reshimbagh. In this programme, a review of
the organisation’s vast journey of 25 years will be taken, with special focus on the
successful initiatives of water conservation like ‘Tamaswada Pattern’ in Vidarbha.
A special attraction of the conference will be the presence of renowned actor and
founder of Paani Foundation Aamir Khan, along with Naam Foundation president
Nana Patekar and secretary Makarand Anaspure.
Apart from them, Maharashtra’s Minister for Soil and Water Conservation Sanjay
Rathod, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Dr. Sharad
Gadakh, and Vice-Chancellor of Gondwana University Dr. Prashant Bokare will also
grace the event with their presence.
A large number of farmers and village sarpanches from Vidarbha are expected to
attend the Jalkranti Conference.
After the main function on May 18, an in-depth deliberation on water conservation
and groundwater recharge will be held at 2:30 PM. Discussions will also focus on the
work carried out by Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha over the past two
and a half decades.The organization’s president Prafulladatta Jamdar and secretary Madhav Kotasthane
have appealed to citizens to participate in large numbers in this significant water
conservation movement.
On the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations, important books such as
‘Jalparva’, ‘Jalkranti’, ‘Krishikalyan’, and ‘Corridors of Water Security’ will also be
released by distinguished dignitaries.
📍📍𝑵𝑵𝒂𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒑𝒑𝒖𝒖𝒓𝒓
|| LLiivvee ffrroomm pprreessss ccoonnffeerreennccee oonn JJaallkkrraannttii PPaarriisshhaadd
Nitin Gadkari
Watch on
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DW/RA/PK
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