Dr Prashant Agrawal, CEO,Microfilter Polymers Ltd. India
When I look at the Union Budget 2026, I don’t just see numbers or allocations, I see intent. An intent to build a more resilient, sustainable and infrastructure-ready India. For those of us working in the water and environmental solutions sector, this budget quietly but clearly signals a decade of opportunity.
Water security is no longer a social issue alone; it has become an economic imperative. As cities expand, industries scale and climate variability increase, every litre of water must be treated, reused and managed responsibly. The government’s continued emphasis on sanitation, wastewater management, environmental compliance and green infrastructure tells us that treatment technologies will move from being “optional improvements” to “core necessities.”
From my experience leading Microfilter Polymers, I see a strong alignment between policy direction and ground reality. Industries today are more conscious of effluent treatment, zero-liquid discharge and recycling mandates. With tighter regulations and growing accountability, the demand for advanced membranes, filtration systems and efficient ETP/STP solutions is set to rise significantly.
Equally encouraging is the support extended to MSMEs and domestic manufacturing. Easier credit access, simplified compliance and the ‘Make in India’ push will empower indigenous technology developers like us to innovate faster, reduce import dependence and compete globally. This is critical because water challenges require local solutions, built for local conditions.
For our regions such as Vidarbha, Maharashtra, where industrial growth intersects with water scarcity, the opportunity is even more meaningful. Sustainable water management is not just business; it is a responsibility toward communities and future generations.
In my view, Budget 2026 lays the foundation for a greener industrial economy. The water sector is no longer peripheral, it is becoming central to India’s growth story. Those who innovate responsibly today will define tomorrow’s sustainable world.
