The Airport That Gives Back: Delhi IGI’s Revolutionary Water Positivity Achievement

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has accomplished a pioneering milestone by becoming the country's first airport with a capacity exceeding 40 million passengers annually to achieve water-positive status. This means the airport replenishes more water into the environment than it consumes, significantly reducing pressure on local water sources.

Key to this accomplishment are over 625 installed rainwater harvesting structures and two new underground reservoirs with a combined capacity of 9 million liters, enabling large-scale rainwater capture and storage. Moreover, IGIA operates a zero-liquid discharge sewage treatment plant with a 16.6 million liters per day capacity that recycles 100% of wastewater generated.

Recycled water is reused for heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, landscaping, toilet flushing, and other non-potable applications, ensuring minimal wastage. Efficient water-use technologies like sprinkler and drip irrigation support conservation efforts throughout the airport.

This achievement was recognized at the Water Innovation Summit 2025 under the NITI Aayog–CII Water Neutrality Framework. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), emphasized that becoming water-positive reflects the airport’s commitment to environmental stewardship and its long-term vision of becoming a net-zero airport.

IGIA's sustainability initiatives also include being Asia’s first airport in its category to earn Level 5 Carbon Accreditation, reinforcing its position as one of the greenest airports in India.

Key Highlights

IGIA becomes India’s first mega airport (40 million+ passengers) to attain water-positive status.

Over 625 rainwater harvesting units and two reservoirs with 9 million liters capacity installed.

16.6 MLD zero-liquid discharge sewage treatment plant recycles 100% wastewater onsite.

Recycled water used for HVAC, irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses.

Recognized at Water Innovation Summit 2025; felicitated under NITI Aayog–CII Water Neutrality Framework.

CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar highlights commitment to resource responsibility and climate readiness.

IGIA holds Asia’s first Level 5 Carbon Accreditation in its category, reinforcing sustainable operations.

Sources: Newsonair, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Chronicle Twitter, New Indian Express, Hindustan Times​