India, Aug. 6 -- As India continues its rapid urban expansion, one critical issue has emerged as both urgent and inescapable-water scarcity. With over 35% of the country's population now residing in cities, the pressure on freshwater resources is intensifying. The situation is further exacerbated by shifting land use patterns, climate extremes, and ageing infrastructure. Major cities like Bengaluru and Delhi face routine water rationing, Chennai has experienced entire reservoirs running dry during summers, and many Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are urbanising faster than their water systems can support.

By 2050, the crisis is expected to deepen significantly. Between one-third to nearly half of the global urban population is projected to face...