New Delhi:In a significant push towards outcome-based water governance, the Global Sustainability & Innovation Awards 2026 were formally launched in the national capital on Tuesday, bringing together policymakers, municipal leaders, industry experts, startups and civil society stakeholders under one platform.

Organised by Everything About Water in collaboration with Earth Water Foundation, the inaugural edition was held at the SAMVET Auditorium, marking what organisers described as a “credibility-first” initiative focused on measurable impact rather than policy optics.

Delivering the keynote as Chief Guest, Durga Shanker Mishra underscored the urgent need to transition from intent-driven policymaking to disciplined, execution-led governance in India’s water sector. His remarks come at a time when urban water stress and climate-linked disruptions are increasingly shaping policy priorities.

Guest of Honour Sulochana Das highlighted the growing responsibility of urban local bodies in building resilient and sustainable water systems, especially in rapidly expanding cities.

Senior civic leadership, including Manjulata Kanhar and Chanchal Rana, were also present, signalling stronger municipal participation in water governance frameworks.

The awards were evaluated by a multidisciplinary jury comprising domain experts, policymakers and technical specialists, including Veena Khanduri and B B Singh, among others. The panel focused on technical performance, scalability, sustainability outcomes and measurable on-ground impact—criteria that organisers say distinguish these awards from conventional recognition platforms.

Government bodies and public utilities recognised

Among key government awardees, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation emerged as a major recipient, alongside institutions such as the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management was recognised for excellence in rainwater harvesting, while municipal bodies like Ludhiana and Satara were acknowledged for innovation in digital water infrastructure and intelligent utility systems.

On the industry front, companies such as VA Tech WABAG and Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd were honoured for advancements in sludge treatment, resource recovery and energy-efficient engineering.

Other recognised firms included Vishvaraj Environment Limited, alongside emerging technology players working on wastewater reuse and industrial efficiency solutions.

The awards also spotlighted emerging startups such as Sustainico Technologies Private Limited and NICO Nanobubble India Co, reflecting a growing innovation ecosystem in the sector.At the grassroots level, NGOs including S M Sehgal Foundation and AltTech Foundation were recognised for their role in community-driven water management initiatives.

Special recognition awards were conferred on key individuals shaping India’s water landscape, including G Asok Kumar for national-level water governance leadership, and Ajay Popat for contributions to water technology.The event reinforced a central policy message: India’s water crisis demands coordinated, cross-sectoral action backed by execution on the ground. Organisers emphasised that the platform aims to catalyse public-private partnerships, encourage innovation-led investment, and strengthen implementation frameworks.

With over 25 years of legacy, EAWATER announced that the awards will now be held annually on World Water Day, positioning the initiative as a long-term benchmark for recognising tangible impact in water sustainability.

Earlier, Shivani Gorawat outlined the platform’s vision of building a recognition system anchored in performance metrics and sector credibility. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by K K Rao, acknowledging stakeholder participation in the inaugural edition.