India’s only dedicated desalination forum brings together government authorities, EPCs, consultancies, and technology providers as the country accelerates its water security agenda

Chennai, India – August 2026

Great Minds Event Management is pleased to announce the inaugural India Desalination Projects Forum 2026, taking place on 27–28 October 2026 at the ITC Grand Chola, Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai, India. The forum is co-located with the India Dams Conference 2026 and the Stormwater and Wastewater Conference

India, forming one of the most significant water infrastructure gatherings the country has seen.

India’s Water Security Moment

India is at a critical juncture in its water infrastructure journey. Rapid urbanisation, population growth, industrial expansion, and the accelerating effects of climate variability are placing unprecedented pressure on conventional freshwater resources. In response, the Indian government has committed over $2.1 billion in desalination investments under the National Water Mission, with large-scale projects already underway across Chennai, Kerala, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.

The India desalination plant market is projected to reach USD 2.17 billion by 2033, growing from USD 955 million in 2024, with the equipment and technology segment alone forecast to exceed USD 1.65 billion by 2030.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay recently underscored the political priority of the sector, personally visiting the Nemmeli desalination plants — inspecting the RO building, SCADA control room, and intake sump — before reviewing the ₹5,814 crore, 400 MLD Perur desalination plant currently under construction, which upon completion will benefit over 22 lakh residents across Chennai and Tambaram corporations.

About the Forum

The India Desalination Projects Forum 2026 is India’s only dedicated platform focused on advancing the country’s rapidly evolving desalination ecosystem. The forum brings together over 300 senior stakeholders from across the value chain, including government authorities, water utilities, desalination plant operators, EPC contractors, engineering consultants, financial institutions, technology providers, and research

institutions.

Key areas of discussion will include:

• National water security strategies and the role of desalination in coastal water supply
• Technology-driven solutions for sustainable and reliable water production
• Regulatory frameworks, environmental standards, and brine management policies
• Next-generation desalination technologies transforming water production
• Financing models and strategic public-private partnerships
• Energy efficiency and renewable-powered desalination
• Operation, maintenance, and performance optimisation of large-scale plants

A Speaker Faculty of National Significance

The forum’s confirmed speaker faculty reflects the full breadth of India’s desalination leadership. Confirmed speakers include W. Bharat Singh, Director at the Ministry of Environment, Forest s Climate Change; Dr. Piyal Mondal from the Ministry of Jal Shakti; Tmt. I. Santhi, Superintending Engineer (Desal) at CMWSSB; Sri. Sajiv Retnakaran, Chief Engineer at Kerala Water Authority; and Dr. Joseph Ravikumar, Senior Water and Sanitation Projects Specialist at the World Bank.

Technical leadership from AECOM, Arcadis, AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs, Tata Consulting Engineers, LsT Construction, Shapoorji Pallonji, and Adani Group will join government, academic, and multilateral voices in what promises to be a substantive and wide-ranging programme.

The forum’s advisory board includes Prof. Satyendra Prasad Chaurasia, President of the Indian Desalination Association; Dr. Arup Ghosh, Director of CSIR-CSMCRI; and Dr. Piyal Mondal of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Major Projects in Focus

The forum will examine the projects currently shaping India’s desalination pipeline, including:

• Perur SWRO Desalination Plant, Chennai — 400 MLD, ₹6,078 crore, under construction
• Manori Seawater Desalination Plant, Mumbai — 200 MLD (expandable to 400 MLD), ₹8,000 crore
• NTPC Simhadri Desalination Plant, Visakhapatnam — feeding India’s green hydrogen programme

Confirmed Sponsors and Partners

The forum has already attracted strong industry support, with confirmed partners

including VA Tech WABAG (Official Partner), Jakson Green and Ruhrpumpen (Gold Sponsors), Gas Lab Asia (Silver and Lanyard Sponsor), Danfoss, Emerald, Ontoz, and Chlor Generators (Associate Partners), and exhibitors including Global Composite,

Jash Engineering, Thermax, and Watts Water Technologies. Registration and Participation

Delegate registration is now open. Government authorities, EPCs, water utilities, consultancies, and public sector organisations can register at the special primary

delegate rate. Vendors and solution providers can register separately. A buy-one-get-one offer is currently available for primary delegates.

Organisations interested in sponsorship, exhibition, or customised partnership opportunities are invited to contact the partnerships team directly.

The forum is CPD-accredited, and attendees will receive CPD certificates and credits upon participation.

For further information, to download the event brochure, or to register, visit indiadesal.com.

About Great Minds Event Management Great Minds Event Management is a Dubai-

based conference and events company specialising in infrastructure, water, and energy forums across the MENA region and South Asia. The India Desalination Projects Forum 2026 is organised in partnership with the India Dams Conference 2026 and the

Stormwater and Wastewater Conference India.

Media Contact: Great Minds Event Management Daytona House, Motor City, Dubai, UAE +971 4 568 7800 info@gmevents.ae indiadesal.com