To address one of the most pressing issues of our day, Sustainable Smart Water Management, the Indian Plumbing Association will host the 31st Indian Plumbing Conference (31st IPC) from November 13–15, 2025, at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan (Milan Mela), Kolkata. The conference’s main focus will be on creative and practical solutions to India’s growing water crisis, especially in light of the country’s fast infrastructural development and urbanization.

Mr. Firhad Hakim, the Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs and Housing, Government of West Bengal, will inaugurate the Indian Plumbing Conference, which is returning to Kolkata after nine years.

Mr Aniruddha Roychoudhury, acclaimed Indian film director, unveiled the Mascot for the Conference.

Also present at the occasion were  Mr Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Mr Chandra Shekhar Gupta, National Vice President, Mr Minesh Shah, National Hon. Secretary, Mr Abhay Pasari, IPA Kolkata Chapter Chairman, and Mr Pradeep Chakravarti, IPA Kolkata Chapter Vice Chairman.

“One of the worst water crises in the world is now plaguing India. With only 4% of the world’s pure water, India is home to 18% of the world’s population. The country’s per capita water availability is getting close to the water scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters per person, and almost 600 million people are subjected to high to extreme water stress. By 2030, major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad are expected to experience total groundwater depletion. Rapid urban growth and a booming construction sector have been placing enormous pressure on water resources,” said Mr. Gurmit Singh Arora, National President of the Indian Plumbing Association.

He added that the West Bengal government has promoted the construction of Green Certified buildings, which has increased the amount of sustainable infrastructure that is more water and energy-efficient and utilizes fewer resources.

A revised 2025 edition of the code – Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard for the Built Environment (We Stand- India) will also be released on the inaugural day of the conference by the chief guest. The code has been jointly formulated by the Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).

IAPMO-USA is an internationally renowned organization committed to creating sustainable and safe mechanical and plumbing norms and standards.

The Indian Plumbing Association will host the Grand Finale of the 9th edition of the Indian Plumbing Professional League 2025 (IPPL) on November 15, 2025, the final day of the conference. Winners from 16 chapters throughout India will compete, and the national winners will receive awards worth Rs. 6 lacs. Every year, IPA chapters compete in the IPPL, a knowledge-sharing and skill-building event that promotes awareness of optimal plumbing practices. IPPL 2025 was organized in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Innovations in wastewater treatment and water circularity, the path to water-neutral buildings, plumbing design issues in high-rise buildings, and real-time water monitoring with AI and IoT are just a few of the subjects that will be discussed at the conference. Renowned specialists, prominent legislators, and business executives will facilitate these seminars, offering technical answers and policy perspectives. To accomplish the goals of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT 2.0, as well as to ensure long-term water security, improve urban resilience, and make a significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, the primary focus of the discussions would be “Sustainable Smart water management”.

Eminent speakers who will attend the conference are Mr Milind Deore, Secretary, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power; Mr Rohit Kakkar, Deputy Adviser, CPHEEO, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; Mr G Asok Kumar, IAS (Rtd) former Director General, National Mission for Clean Ganga; Mr Avinash Mishra, Former Adviser, NITI Aayog; Mr MK Sinha, Former Chairman, Central Water Commission and Mr Sushil Mohta, Chairman and Managing Director, Merlin Group. Ar. Shakuntala Ghosh, Principal Architect and Partner, Ghosh Bose and Associates, Mr Apurva Salarpuria, Managing Director, Salarpuria Group, Dr Asis Mazumdar, Professor, Jadavpur university, Ms Shreya Khurana, Programme Associate, Water & Environment, National Institute of Urban Affairs, Mr HC Vinayaka, Vice President, Technical, EHS & Sustainability, ITC Hotels, Mr Prem Thakur, Vice President & Head, Design and Technical Services, Taj Group, Mr Anand Neotia, Director, Orbit Group, Mr Arjun Bhattacharya, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Digital Officer, Ion Exchange (India) Ltd. &Mr Yashasvi Shroff, Executive & Marketing Director, Alcove Group, and many more.

For professionals influencing India’s urban fabric, such as real estate developers, architects, engineers, legislators, sustainability advocates, and infrastructure experts, the 31st IPC is expected to be a historic occasion. The conference changed the course for smart plumbing and sustainable water management in India by bringing innovation, policy, and implementation together. Modern water, sanitation, and plumbing technologies will also be on display in a parallel expo that will take up more than 5500 square meters and feature more than 75 exhibitors and 50 specialists.

Priyanka Dutta