Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi achieved the distinction of becoming India's first water-positive airport among facilities handling over 40 million passengers annually. The recognition was awarded at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 under the NITI Aayog–CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) water neutrality initiative. IGI Airport consumes approximately 4.5 million litres of water per day but replenishes more than it consumes through a combination of rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and efficient use technologies. Key infrastructure includes 625 rainwater harvesting systems, two massive underground reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 9 million litres, and a highly efficient 16.6 MLD (million litres per day) zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) sewage treatment plant. The airport managed by DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited, a GMR Group entity) treated and recycled over 90% of its wastewater for non-potable uses including landscape irrigation and flushing systems. The achievement aligns with India's National Water Mission and its Jal Shakti Ministry's push for water conservation in critical public infrastructure. IGI Airport handles over 7 crore passengers annually, making this sustainability milestone especially significant for India's infrastructure sector.
IGI Airport Becomes India's First Water-Positive Airport Among High-Traffic Facilities
Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi achieved the distinction of becoming India's first water-positive airport among facilities handling over 40 million passengers annually. The recognition was awarded at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 under the NITI Aayog–CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) water neutrality initiative. IGI Airport consumes approximately 4.5 million litres of water per day but replenishes more than it consumes through a combination of rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and efficient use technologies. Key infrastructure includes 625 rainwater harvesting systems, two massive underground reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 9 million litres, and a highly efficient 16.6 MLD (million litres per day) zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) sewage treatment plant. The airport managed by DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited, a GMR Group entity) treated and recycled over 90% of its wastewater for non-potable uses including landscape irrigation and flushing systems. The achievement aligns with India's National Water Mission and its Jal Shakti Ministry's push for water conservation in critical public infrastructure. IGI Airport handles over 7 crore passengers annually, making this sustainability milestone especially significant for India's infrastructure sector.
Key facts
- IGI Airport became India's first water-positive airport among facilities handling 40 million+ passengers.
- The airport consumes 4.5 million litres daily but replenishes more through recycling and harvesting.
- Key infrastructure includes 625 rainwater harvesting systems and 9 million litre underground reservoirs.
- A 16.6 MLD zero-liquid-discharge sewage treatment plant recycles over 90% of wastewater.
- Recognition was awarded at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 under NITI Aayog-CII initiative.
- IGI Airport is managed by DIAL, a GMR Group entity handling 7 crore passengers annually.
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IGI Airport became India's first water-positive airport. Where is IGI Airport?
Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi became India's first water-positive airport.
Source: Water Innovation Summit 2025
Frequently asked questions
What milestone did IGI Airport achieve in 2025 and at which forum was it recognised?
Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi became India's first water-positive airport among facilities handling over 40 million passengers annually. The recognition was awarded at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 under the NITI Aayog–CII water neutrality initiative.
How does IGI Airport achieve water-positive status if it consumes 4.5 million litres of water daily?
Despite consuming approximately 4.5 million litres of water per day, IGI Airport achieves water-positive status by replenishing more water than it uses. This is accomplished through 625 rainwater harvesting systems, 9 million litre underground reservoirs, and a 16.6 MLD zero-liquid-discharge sewage treatment plant that recycles over 90% of wastewater.
What is zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) technology and how does IGI Airport use it?
Zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) is a water management technology where wastewater is treated and recycled so that no liquid effluent is discharged into the environment. IGI Airport's 16.6 MLD ZLD sewage treatment plant recycles over 90% of its wastewater for reuse in cooling systems, horticulture, and aircraft washing — contributing significantly to its water-positive status.
Who manages IGI Airport and how many passengers does it handle annually?
IGI Airport is managed by DIAL (Delhi International Airport Limited), a GMR Group entity. It handles approximately 7 crore (70 million) passengers annually, making it one of the busiest airports in South Asia and the context for why achieving water-positive status at such scale is particularly significant.
What is the NITI Aayog–CII water neutrality initiative and why is it relevant to IGI Airport's recognition?
The NITI Aayog–CII water neutrality initiative is a collaborative framework between India's premier policy think tank and the Confederation of Indian Industry to promote sustainable water use in large-scale infrastructure and industrial operations. IGI Airport's recognition under this initiative sets a benchmark for other high-traffic airports and public infrastructure to adopt water-conservation practices.
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