Urban India is facing an intensifying water crisis shaped by rapid urbanisation, ecological degradation, climate variability, and fragmented governance systems. Cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai illustrate the paradox of simultaneous flooding and water scarcity and what is increasingly conceptualised as the “urban water crisis.” Conventional approaches to urban water management that are centred on extraction, linear consumption, and disposal are now proving to be inadequate. In response, the paradigm of circular water systems has gained prominence, emphasising water reuse, wastewater recycling, stormwater capture, aquifer recharge, and ecosystem restoration. However, the transition from linear to circular systems is not merely technical. It involves rethinking governance frameworks, institutional coordination, financing models, and social equity.
This roundtable is the first event under our flagship ORF City Conversations Programme and seeks to critically explore how Indian cities can move towards circular water systems while addressing issues of access, justice, and resilience.
