​India is grappling with significant challenges in air, water and waste management. Half of world's 20 most polluted cities are in India, according to World Health Organization. About 62 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated each year in the 468 cities of over 100,000 people; only 70% is collected and only 23% is processed or treated. While 94% of Indians have access to drinking water, just less than 40% of the population has access to sanitary wastewater system- a disparity that emphasizes the dire need for wastewater treatment systems. Almost 63% of municipal wastewater and 40% of industrial wastewater is left untreated and discharged. India is also one of the largest and fastest growing greenhouse gas emitters. On the industrial pollution front, 30-40% of India’s industrial units produce sizeable quantities of pollutants. There are about 3 million small-scale enterprises in the country and most of these are using minimal or no pollution control equipment.

Considering the risk to environment and human health due to rampant industrialization, it is time to take decisions which give sustainable growth without hurting our ecosystem and well-being. Thus, there is urgent need for the country to develop a sustainable development path to protect environment and economic efficiency. The expo is proclaimed at the right time when the government of India has allocated $1 trillion for plans in creating 100 smart cities and restores 500 other cities and towns over the next five years. This plan includes Clean water supply initiatives; Effective ways in managing sanitation and waste; Efficient mobility and public transport. The Event will be focusing on building networks with greater collaboration between different stakeholders in the Environment fraternity and to explore ways to harness innovation to address the most crucial current environmental problem facing across the world.