Maharashtra’s worsening drought and declining water reserves have raised concerns over the operations of sugar mills and ethanol plants as the 2026–27 sugarcane crushing season gets underway. Falling reservoir storage levels and declining groundwater availability are creating challenges for water-intensive industries, increasing the risk of production disruptions and possible early shutdowns at some facilities. The situation could also affect Maharashtra’s rural economy, which relies heavily on sugarcane cultivation, sugar manufacturing and associated bioenergy industries.
To address the growing water crisis, representatives of sugar mills and government officials are scheduled to meet in Pune on November 2, 2026, to discuss measures for maintaining industrial operations despite limited water availability. The national conference is being organised by the Maharashtra Sugar Commissionerate, the Indian Federation of Green Energy and COEP Technological University. Discussions are expected to focus on water conservation, wastewater treatment and technologies that can reduce freshwater consumption across sugar factories and ethanol production facilities.
The Maharashtra government has already implemented a 10% reduction in water supply in response to the drought, with further restrictions possible if conditions deteriorate. Authorities have prioritised drinking water for residents, raising concerns about the availability of water for industrial use. Sugar manufacturing and ethanol production both require substantial quantities of water, making the current situation particularly challenging for integrated sugar complexes.
The conference will focus on recovering and reusing evaporation condensate water generated during industrial processing. By collecting, treating and recycling this water, sugar mills could reduce their dependence on freshwater sources and improve operational efficiency. The adoption of water-recycling systems could become increasingly important as industries prepare for prolonged periods of water scarcity.
The event is expected to bring together Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, Sugar Commissioner Dr Sanjay Kolte, former Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad, representatives of the sugar industry and officials from COEP Technological University. Their discussions will examine practical solutions for improving water management and sustaining industrial operations during drought conditions.
The potential impact extends beyond sugar production to distilleries, ethanol plants, cogeneration units and compressed biogas projects linked to the sugar industry. These integrated facilities are becoming important components of Maharashtra’s bioenergy sector, but their operations depend on reliable water supplies. Prolonged shortages could disrupt production schedules and affect the economics of sugar mills and associated projects.
For Maharashtra’s sugar industry, water conservation and reuse technologies could play a critical role in reducing operational risks during the crushing season. The proposed conference aims to identify workable measures that help mills and ethanol plants use available water more efficiently while balancing industrial requirements with the state’s priority of ensuring drinking water supplies.
