INDUSTRIAL WATER USAGE IN INDIA

India wants more factories, fabs and data centres. Where will the water come from?

India's ambition to become a developed nation by 2047 is constrained by growing water resource challenges. Industries across sectors, including thermal power and semiconductor manufacturing, face water scarcity issues that could hinder growth. Many regions are already experiencing severe water stress, impacting economic development plans drastically. Adopting recycling and reuse technologies will be crucial for managing water in industries effectively.

No water to sow, no respite at the grocery store: India's prolonged food inflation worry

Indian farmers face challenges in sowing winter crops amid dwindling water supplies from a weak monsoon. Amarsingh Gushinge's village experiences a significant rainfall deficit, impacting crop planting decisions. Food inflation could worsen as key staples see rising prices, aggravating the economic strain on households. The Reserve Bank of India may respond with interest rate hikes to combat rising inflationary pressures.

Here's how two major AI companies are limiting usage of their AI models

OpenAI has enacted new rules that disallow the stacking of paid ChatGPT subscriptions on a single device or payment card. Users hitting subscription caps will encounter an error message, preventing them from activating more subscriptions. Many users have complained about GrokBot's rapidly declining usage allocations. Elon Musk admitted the rising costs are contributing to Grok user dissatisfaction.

Grok bot users hit limits faster as Elon Musk warns of ‘unsustainably high’ AI agent costs: What happens next?

Grok Bot usage limits: Elon Musk says the cost of running Grok Bot has become unsustainable relative to its revenue as users report hitting weekly usage limits faster. Despite 800,000 paid weekly users, questions remain about the service's costs, pricing and future limits.

Defence Ministry inks Rs 53,886 crore deals for new indigenous warships

The Defence Ministry signed contracts worth ₹53,866.50 crore for constructing next-generation corvettes with public shipyards. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited will build five corvettes while Goa Shipyard Limited will construct three. The ships are designed for multi-domain warfare, including anti-surface and anti-submarine operations. This project is expected to create significant employment opportunities in shipyards and ancillary industries over the next decade.

India's economic pillars show 'no fragility', says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the government's commitment to increasing capital expenditure to promote economic growth. She remarked on the importance of fiscal prudence while implementing spending strategies effectively. Sitharaman emphasized the need for public investment to enhance welfare programs and improve access to essential services. The government aims to provide comprehensive insurance coverage by 2047 to foster financial inclusion.

Nugraj Developers raises Rs 50 crore from Capri Global for Haryana project expansion

Nugraj Developers has raised Rs 50 crore in growth capital from Capri Global to expand real estate projects. This funding will support ongoing and upcoming development initiatives in Kharkhoda and Sonipat regions. The area is experiencing increasing demand for residential plotted development due to improved connectivity and industrial growth. The Namo Bharat connectivity is expected to enhance regional travel and shift land usage toward residential projects.

Why is India's probe of Scotch imports from Britain rattling liquor majors?

India's investigation into bulk Scotch whisky imports has triggered the first major trade dispute under the India-UK free trade agreement. The government argues bulk Scotch does not qualify for reduced import tariffs, potentially restoring duties to 150% from 75%. The dispute threatens a $65 billion global whisky market, putting Diageo, Pernod Ricard and Indian liquor makers at odds with customs officials.

ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact

The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.

India's power consumption rises 21.88% to 159.76 billion units in October

India witnessed a striking power consumption of 159.76 billion units in October 2026, marking a considerable increase from previous years. The surge was primarily driven by a spike in commercial and industrial activities during the festive phase, leading to a peak demand escalation to 260.73 GW, up from 210.82 GW the previous year.

Adventure holidays in India that take you from Himalayan peaks to the depths of the Andaman Sea

India-Bangladesh Ganga water treaty renewal in doubt as December deadline nears

The 1996 India-Bangladesh Ganga water-sharing treaty faces uncertainty ahead of its December 12 expiry, with New Delhi unlikely to renew it automatically without a visit by Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman. Both countries are weighing changes to the agreement, amid India's rising domestic water needs and Bangladesh's push for revised allocation terms.

Bangladesh opposition leader warns against Indian transit corridor, demands fair Ganges water deal

Nahid Islam, a leader of the National Citizen Party, warned against facilitating an Indian transit corridor through Bangladesh. He urged for a fair renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, which expires soon. There are indications of potential protests if the agreement is not renewed to protect Bangladesh's water interests. Discussions on Bangladesh's partnerships are ongoing, particularly with Japan regarding regional development initiatives.

'Forever chemicals' can remain in water for years, but can a new UV technology finally destroy them? Here's how it works

The process targets the carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS compounds, which are responsible for their exceptional chemical stability. The company says its system can target long-chain, short-chain and ultra-short-chain PFAS. It is designed for industrial wastewater, groundwater and concentrated PFAS waste streams. The technology is intended to operate on-site and can be integrated into existing industrial wastewater treatment systems.

In 1882, a pipeline helped silver boomtown Candelaria, Nevada, grow to about 1,000 people; after the 1893 financial panic, it declined, and its post office closed in 1939

Candelaria emerged as a bustling boomtown in 19th-century Nevada, only to face dire water shortages. Although a dependable water pipeline was constructed in 1882, the town experienced significant decline following the economic downturn in 1893. This echoes the modern-day struggles of resource-dependent communities grappling with severe freshwater limitations, urging a reconsideration of sustainability strategies to prevent the vulnerabilities seen in Candelaria.

Jio Platforms share price up 28% from IPO price. Here’s what these 4 brokerages are saying

Jio Platforms shares extended their post-listing rally, rising over 28% in three sessions. Nomura, Motilal Oswal, Dolat Capital and Elara Capital remain positive, citing tariff hikes, 5G monetisation, broadband expansion and digital services growth.

Google went to Finland for its AI expansion. Now a cleared forest and a police probe threaten to overshadow its $15 billion investment

Google's planned expansion in Finland is facing scrutiny due to alleged environmental violations at a data centre site. Authorities are investigating whether the company breached local laws related to water management. The controversy has drawn public criticism and highlighted the need for responsible corporate practices. As investment in artificial intelligence increases, balancing economic growth and environmental protection remains challenging.

In Burgos, Spain, engineers turned steelmaking waste into full-size pavement slabs; five years outdoors caused no major damage, and skid resistance stayed road-safe

In an innovative endeavor, engineers from Burgos, Spain, developed sustainable pavement utilizing waste from steel production, significantly cutting down on industrial refuse. Their five-year study, monitoring large-scale pavement slabs in real environments, revealed that the pavement exhibited no major structural issues or safety risks related to skid resistance. This breakthrough paves the way for eco-friendly infrastructure methods in construction, promoting the recyclability of industrial byproducts.

COAI seeks rationalised pricing for microwave backhaul spectrum

The Cellular Operators Association of India emphasizes the need for early implementation of TRAI's spectrum charge recommendations. This follows the Department of Telecommunications retaining the existing pricing framework despite previous recommendations for reductions. COAI points out that the current structure poses a significant burden on operators' costs. As demand for microwave backhaul is expected to grow substantially, predictable charges are essential.

Power Grid asks cable and wire makers to scale up as transmission capex set to rise

Power Grid Corporation of India aims to exceed last year's capital expenditure of ₹40,000 crore for transmission projects. The chairman emphasized the necessity for manufacturers to enhance production capabilities and product quality. Growth in renewable energy projects is expected to drive high demand for cables and wires across the industry. Additional investments for the Green Energy Corridor-III program will further stimulate the market.

Brands need to shift to ‘Bharat-first’ strategy as digital usage grows

To effectively connect with rural customers, brands should embrace a 'Bharat-first' advertising philosophy. Digital channels are increasingly shaping the shopping behaviors of younger rural populations, with influencer marketing playing a pivotal role, particularly among female consumers. The integration of AI features alongside social media enhances the flow of product knowledge in these areas.

Cognite reports $1 billion in verified AI value, confirming impact of industrial AI solutions

Driving approximately 36% of value verified to date, customers are leveraging AI and automated workflows to prevent costly asset shutdowns across complex industrial operations, help them get back running when the unexpected happens, and lower the costs of running their operations.

Pakistan: United Nations report exposes flaws in Sindh's water management

Sindh’s water management system is struggling with outdated rules, weak data and growing gaps between official allocations and actual water use, according to an FAO study cited by Dawn. The report called for a comprehensive review of land and water resources, better monitoring of irrigation and urban supply systems, and regular water accounts covering agriculture, cities, industry and environmental needs.