Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), India’s busiest aviation hub handling over 40 million passengers annually, has achieved water-positive status by replenishing more water than it consumes, marking it as the first such high-capacity airport in the country.
This milestone, formally recognised at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 under the NITI Aayog-CII Water Neutrality framework, stems from comprehensive sustainability efforts by operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).
CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar praised the feat as a step towards net-zero operations, with no stakeholder opposition noted; the announcement on 1 December 2025 highlights IGIA’s transformation from a groundwater-stressed site amid rising urban water demands.
Groundbreaking Water Management Infrastructure
IGIA’s water-positive certification rests on robust infrastructure, including over 625 rainwater harvesting structures spread across its vast expanse to capture monsoon runoff efficiently.
Two newly commissioned underground reservoirs, boasting a combined capacity of 9 million litres, store this harvested water for controlled groundwater recharge, significantly bolstering local aquifers in Delhi’s water-scarce region.
Complementing these are advanced systems like a 16.6 million litres per day (MLD) zero-liquid discharge sewage treatment plant that recycles 100% of the airport’s wastewater for non-potable uses, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, landscape irrigation via modern sprinkler and drip methods, and toilet flushing.
A state-of-the-art water treatment plant further ensures potable water supply to passengers with minimal wastage, reducing overall reliance on external sources.
“Becoming water-positive reflects our deep commitment to responsible resource use, environmental stewardship, and the future of aviation infrastructure,” stated Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, underscoring how these measures enhance climate resilience.
This humanises the story by showing how everyday operations at one of India’s greenest airports now prioritise planetary health alongside passenger convenience.
Journey from Water Stress to Resilience
Prior to this achievement, IGIA grappled with acute groundwater stress, exacerbated by Delhi’s booming population, erratic monsoons, and the airport’s expansion to serve over 40 million passengers yearly—making it a microcosm of India’s urban water crisis.
DIAL proactively adopted the NITI Aayog-CII Water Neutrality framework, conducting a thorough Scope I Water Neutrality Assessment that evaluated measurement, conservation, and watershed restoration.
Key precursors included early rainwater harvesting pilots and wastewater recycling expansions, building incrementally over years to counter climate vulnerabilities like prolonged dry spells.
Post-certification, IGIA stands as a benchmark for sustainable aviation, inspiring global peers while aligning with India’s broader goals for water security in high-impact sectors.
Officials note this positions the airport not just as a transit point but as a leader in ecological restoration, with potential ripple effects for nearby communities facing similar shortages.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
IGIA’s triumph in water positivity exemplifies how innovation rooted in empathy and collective responsibility can restore harmony between human progress and nature’s finite resources, fostering kindness towards our environment and future generations.
By transcending mere compliance to actively replenish what it uses, DIAL promotes dialogue on scalable solutions for water-stressed cities, encouraging coexistence amid climate challenges and urging industries to embrace stewardship over exploitation. This story ignites hope for positive social change, where aviation giants lead by example in nurturing ecological balance.
