NE ENVIRONMENT BUREAU
CHENNAI, NOV 8
Delivering a powerful message on the urgency of water conservation, Navin Kumar, Managing Director of Navin’s, underscored that individual behavioural change and responsible design are key to tackling India’s looming water crisis.
Speaking at The Hindu Sustainability Summit 2025 in Chennai, he joined a distinguished panel on ‘Water for Tomorrow: Sustainable Management and Industrial Responsibility’, co-presented by the Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company.
- Navin’s MD highlights real estate’s quiet revolution in water recycling, green design, and digital metering
- Calls for behavioural change and government incentives to accelerate adoption of water-efficient technologies
- “Recycling grey water reduces demand by up to 70%—a small step that creates a big impact,” he says
“Real estate has been a silent but steady player in water treatment and conservation,” said Navin Kumar. “Over the past 25 years, both residential and office projects have undergone a drastic transformation, aligning with global green building norms such as IGBC and LEED standards.”
He noted that the biggest benefit comes from water recycling, particularly the treatment of grey water.
“Grey water recycling alone contributes to 40–70% of the total savings in commercial projects and 40–50% in residential ones. When we recycle water, we drastically reduce the pressure on community water demand.”
Highlighting Navin’s internal sustainability practices, he explained that the company’s new projects are equipped with digital water meters, promoting accountability and real-time consumption tracking. Their flagship property, Navin’s Hanging Gardens, uses Moisture-Sensing Drip Irrigation Systems to prevent wasteful watering of plants, while Curing Technology optimises construction water use.
“Our behavioural action can save water,” he said, stressing that conservation isn’t limited to technology alone but lies in awareness and intent. “It begins with each of us—how we use, reuse, and respect this vital resource.”
Navin Kumar also called for greater government incentives and public awareness to encourage residential projects to embrace green building certification and sustainable water systems.
“While industries are evolving rapidly, residential projects still lack sufficient incentives to go green. The government and civic bodies can play a transformative role by rewarding sustainable practices and promoting awareness.”
The session, moderated by K. Lakshmi, Deputy Editor, The Hindu, also featured Dr. G. Ravikumar, Professor and Director, Centre for Water Resources, Anna University; P. Kannan, Director (Operations), CPCL; and Gaurav Kumar, IAS, Executive Director, Chennai Metro Water. Chief Guests included H. Shankar, Managing Director, CPCL, and Srivats Ram, former CII Tamil Nadu Chairman and MD, Wheels India.
As Navin Kumar concluded, his words struck a deep chord — “Water is not a renewable luxury; it’s a shared responsibility. Saving it is no longer a choice but a collective duty.”
