Marking World Earth Day Across Hotels in Delhi-NCR with Energy and Water Stewardship Initiatives
On the occasion of World Earth Day, The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues to advance its sustainability and environmental stewardship under Paathya, its ESG+ framework. Across its Delhi-NCR portfolio, including Taj Mahal, New Delhi; Taj Palace, New Delhi; Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR; Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram; and Ambassador, New Delhi - IHCL SeleQtions, the company is strengthening a comprehensive approach to water conservation anchored in circularity, innovation, and long-term impact.
At Taj Mahal, New Delhi, water recycling efficiency stands at 97%, with 92% of treated water reused across operations. The hotel is progressing towards the LEED Zero Water Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), supported by rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and reuse across laundry, flushing, cooling towers, and landscaping. Reinforcing its leadership in sustainable hospitality, the hotel has also been awarded the EarthCheck Platinum Certification (2026), recognising over a decade of consistent environmental performance. This is further strengthened by advanced infrastructure, including a pioneering effluent treatment system that enables laundry water to be treated and reused within operations. Extending this approach to the guest experience, the hotel marks Earth Day with Mitti ka Swaad at Varq, its signature contemporary Indian restaurant. Rooted in the philosophy of Bhoole Bisre – A Living Archive and A Testament to Time curated by the iconic Hotel, the offering revisits traditional recipes and techniques, with a focus on seasonal ingredients, earthenware cooking, and a mindful, low-waste approach to food.
Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi, said,
“Under Paathya, our focus is on building systems that go beyond operational efficiency to drive long-term environmental impact. Energy and Water stewardship is a critical part of this journey, where the emphasis is on creating circular ecosystems that optimise resources at every stage. This approach reflects IHCL’s commitment to responsible growth while shaping a future-ready model of hospitality.”
Building on this, Taj Palace, New Delhi – a LEED Platinum & EarthCheck Platinum certified hotel integrates advanced engineering with sustainability-led design. Its Water Treatment and Bottling Plant operates through a three-stage purification process combining reverse osmosis, ozonation, and UV technology. Smart fixtures, including aerators and sensor-based taps, enable up to 80–85% water savings in public areas. The hotel’s infrastructure supports the recycling of up to 80 KL of water daily, while its sewage treatment plant processes 450 KLD for reuse across cooling towers, horticulture, and maintenance.
Mr. Pradyumna Singh Rathore, General Manager, Taj Palace, New Delhi, added, “Sustainability today requires a holistic and integrated approach that brings together technology, design, and operational practices. Under Paathya, our organisation’s ESG+ framework, our focus is on embedding resource efficiency into the core of how we operate, ensuring that every intervention contributes to a larger, measurable impact across the ecosystem.”
Extending this to a resort ecosystem, Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR, an EarthCheck Platinum-certified property, treats approximately 3,500 KL of water monthly and reuses it across irrigation and cooling systems. Rainwater harvesting, water-efficient fixtures, and an in-house bottling plant further support the property’s resource management approach. Strengthening its clean energy transition, the resort has commissioned Phase 2 of its solar power project, adding a 90 kW installation to the existing 50 kW plant. The combined system is expected to generate approximately 146,000 kWh of green energy annually, with estimated savings of ₹15 lakhs per year and a projected 36-month return on investment.
At Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, water conservation is driven through a multi-layered approach combining infrastructure, operational efficiency, and innovation. The resort’s sewage treatment plant redirects treated wastewater across cooling towers, irrigation systems, and cleaning operations, ensuring optimal utilisation at every stage. Sensor-operated systems further enable precise and efficient water usage across guest and service areas. A key milestone in this journey is the installation of an in-house water bottling plant with a capacity of 150 bottles per hour, significantly reducing reliance on single-use plastic. Within eight months, the initiative has eliminated over 1,40,000 plastic bottles (500 ml), prevented an additional 2,80,000 smaller bottles (250 ml), reduced approximately 70,000 litres of packaged water consumption, and led to a total reduction of over 2.8 tonnes of plastic waste.
Mr. Vinod Pandey, Area Director – Operations and General Manager, Taj Damdama Lake Resort & Spa, Gurugram, said, “At IHCL, sustainability is approached as a collective and continuous journey rather than a set of standalone initiatives. Through Paathya, we are focused on building systems that drive long-term value by integrating environmental responsibility into everyday operations. Water conservation and waste reduction are key pillars within this approach, contributing to a more resilient and responsible hospitality ecosystem.”
Additionally, at Ambassador, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions, water conservation measures include reuse of treated water across flushing systems and green areas, supported by efficient fixtures and dual flush mechanisms. The installation of an ultrafiltration plant further strengthens water quality and reuse capabilities across the hotel.
IHCL continues to embed sustainability across its operations through Paathya, which guides its approach towards environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and long-term value creation.
