Gadkari: Water conservation must become a mass movement in Vidarbha
Synopsis
Nitin Gadkari wants Vidarbha to stop being known as a farmer suicide zone — and his prescription is turning water conservation into a people's movement. With farm ponds already raising groundwater in Akola, Washim, and Buldhana, and a national conference set for Nagpur on May 17-18, the push is gaining institutional momentum.
Key Takeaways
Nitin Gadkari on 10 May 2026 called for water conservation to become a mass movement to end Vidarbha's farmer suicide stigma.
He stated India has no water scarcity, only poor planning, and cited organic farming , drip irrigation , and AI in agriculture as solutions.
Soil from farm ponds used in national highway construction has raised groundwater levels in Akola , Washim , and Buldhana .
River and stream deepening is underway in dark zone areas of Warud-Morshi and Katol-Narkhed with public participation.
Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha marks its silver jubilee with a two-day national conference in Nagpur on May 17-18, 2026 .
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Sunday, 10 May 2026, called for water conservation to become a mass movement in Vidarbha, asserting that the region must shed its grim reputation as a
Point of View
Washim, and Buldhana, where groundwater levels have measurably improved. The real question is whether the 'Tamaswada Model' can be replicated at scale without top-down dependence on a single minister's advocacy. Institutionalising these gains through local self-government bodies, as Gadkari himself urged, will be the true test of whether this movement outlasts the jubilee celebrations.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nitin Gadkari call for water conservation as a mass movement?
Gadkari called for a mass movement in water conservation to remove the stigma of Vidarbha being labelled a 'farmer suicide zone' and to bring prosperity to the region. He argued that people's active participation, alongside NGOs and government bodies, is essential for lasting change.
What is the Jalsamvad and Jalkranti conference in Nagpur?
The Jalsamvad and Jalkranti are two national conferences organised in Nagpur on May 17 and 18, 2026, to mark the silver jubilee of Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha, a water conservation organisation active in Vidarbha for 25 years. Prominent water experts, Padma awardees, and social sector leaders from across India are expected to attend.
What is the Tamaswada Model mentioned by Gadkari?
The Tamaswada Model is a water conservation framework developed by Poorti Sinchan Samruddhi Kalyankari Sanstha over its 25 years of work in Vidarbha. It has gained national recognition for its community-driven approach to managing water resources.
How has farm pond construction helped groundwater levels in Vidarbha?
According to Gadkari, soil excavated from farm ponds was used in the construction of national highways, and this process has contributed to raising groundwater levels in the western Vidarbha districts of Akola, Washim, and Buldhana. Farmers in these areas have also shifted their cropping patterns in response.
What solutions did Gadkari propose for water management in India?
Gadkari stated that India does not face an absolute water scarcity but lacks proper planning and management. He proposed organic farming, drip irrigation, and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture as practical tools for effective water management.
