Delhi's IGI becomes India’s first 'water-positive' airport - Know what the certification signifies

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has become the first airport in India handling over 40 million passengers annually to be certified as ‘water-positive’, according to an announcement by its operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). The certification, a significant environmental benchmark, signifies that the facility now replenishes more water into the environment than it consumes.

The recognition was conferred at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 in New Delhi, where DIAL was felicitated for attaining scope I water neutrality under a framework established by NITI Aayog and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). As reported by TOI, water neutrality involves balancing an organisation’s total freshwater consumption with savings achieved through enhanced efficiency, recycling and replenishment projects.

DIAL attributed the achievement to a multi-pronged water management strategy. A network of 625 rainwater harvesting structures and two newly constructed underground reservoirs, with a combined capacity of nine million litres, enables extensive capture and storage of monsoon rains. Furthermore, a 16.6 million-litre-per-day zero-liquid-discharge sewage treatment plant ensures all wastewater generated at the airport is recycled and reused.

In its statement, DIAL outlined that the treated water is now directed to non-potable applications, including the airport’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, landscape irrigation and toilet flushing. Potable water for passengers is provided via a dedicated treatment plant designed to minimise wastage, while advanced irrigation systems like sprinklers and drips promote efficient usage.

Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, framed the milestone within the airport’s broader sustainability agenda. “At DIAL, sustainability is our driving force. Becoming water-positive reflects our commitment to responsible resource use, environmental stewardship and the future of aviation infrastructure,” he stated, as reported by TOI.

Jaipuriar added that this move is a pivotal step towards the long-term vision of establishing IGIA as a net zero carbon emission airport, enhancing its operational resilience and climate readiness.