New Delhi: In what environmental experts are calling a landmark moment for Indian aviation, Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) emerged as the first high-capacity airport in the country - handling over 40 million passengers annually - to achieve 'water-positive' status. 

At a time when water scarcity looms large across Delhi and neighbouring regions, IGIA’s transformation,  from a groundwater-stressed facility to a net water contributor, signals a shift in how large-scale infrastructure can coexist with environmental sustainability. 

According to the operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the airport has deployed more than 625 rainwater-harvesting units, complemented by two underground reservoirs with a combined capacity of nine million litres, to capture and store monsoon waters.  Concurrently, a zero-liquid discharge sewage treatment plant - capable of processing 16.6 million litres per day - recycles 100% of wastewater, which is reused for non-potable needs such as air-conditioning, landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. 

Sprinkler and drip-irrigation systems, along with a modern water-treatment facility that minimises wastage, further strengthen IGIA’s water-management matrix. 

Commenting on the milestone, DIAL’s CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said the achievement reflects 'our deep commitment to responsible resource use, environmental stewardship and the future of aviation infrastructure.' He added that this was a crucial step in realising IGIA’s long-term vision of becoming a 'net-zero airport'. 

Beyond compliance or certification, the 'water-positive' status positions IGIA as a benchmark for airports, industrial hubs and urban complexes not just in India but globally - proving that even large-capacity transport infrastructure can be climate-resilient and resource-efficient. 

As India grapples with recurring water crises and depleting groundwater levels in major urban areas, IGIA’s model - a blend of rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling and efficient consumption - could serve as a blueprint for other airports and large establishments across the country.

BI Bureau