The Indian pump market has diverse applications across various infrastructural and industrial sectors such as power, agriculture, urban water management, firefighting and construction. The demand for pumps is driven by rising industrialisation and urbanisation, along with supportive government policies.
Centrifugal pumps dominate the market due to their wide-ranging industrial applications. These pumps are designed to handle high flow rates and moderate-to-high pressures, are easy to maintain, and operate with high efficiency compared to other types of pumps. Positive displacement pumps also have a notable presence in the market. Further, solar pumps are gaining traction in the Indian market, driven by the large
agricultural workforce, continuous government support, technological advancements and increased awareness.
Urban water and wastewater management
Water pumps are integral to modern urban development, serving as key tools for managing water resources and supporting infrastructure. They are indispensable for tasks such as flood control and wastewater treatment, contributing to the health, safety and sustainability of urban environments.
Flooding is a common challenge in urban areas, particularly in regions with heavy rainfall or inadequate drainage systems. Water pumps play a critical role in stormwater management by quickly removing excess water from streets, sewers and flood-prone zones. High-capacity pumps integrated with drainage systems help cities prevent flooding, protect infrastructure and ensure public safety.
In 2024, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation announced plans to install 481 dewatering pumps across Mumbai to mitigate waterlogging in low-lying areas. This initiative aims to address the challenges posed by heavy rainfall, especially when precipitation of over 55 mm per hour coincides with high tide, leading to water accumulation in vulnerable zones. Further, the Greater Chennai Corporation deployed 1,686 motor pumps including 100HP pumps and pumps mounted on tractors across the city to drain water following Cyclone Fengal.
Efficient wastewater treatment is critical for urban hygiene and environmental sustainability. Water pumps play a key role in sewage treatment plants, facilitating the transport, treatment and purification of wastewater before its safe release into the environment. They are essential for providing clean water to residents and preventing the contamination of local waterbodies.
Agriculture
In agriculture, solar pumps are gaining traction for irrigation purposes. These pumps utilise solar energy to pump water, which is beneficial in areas with limited or unreliable electricity. This also leads to cost savings for farmers, minimising spending on fuel or electricity. These pumps work efficiently to move water for crops, livestock or other farming needs. They can be combined with different irrigation methods such as drip or sprinkler systems, enabling more efficient water use. Further, solar pumps are low maintenance and long-lasting, making them ideal for rural areas where access to repair services may be limited.
The government has also implemented key initiatives in this space. Component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) focuses on standalone solar-powered pumps for irrigation. As of December 2024, over 1.23 million standalone pumps have been sanctioned and 0.6 million standalone pumps have been installed. Component C aims to solarise existing grid-connected agricultural pumps. Under this, as of December 2024, the total pumps solarised under installed individual pump solar stood at 5,272, and the total pumps solarised under feeder level solar were 107,184. Efforts have been made to streamline land aggregation, relax performance bank guarantees and enhance participation in feeder-level solarisation projects. However, the pace of implementation needs to be improved to meet the scheme’s targets effectively.
In a recent development, CRI Pumps, a leading global provider of fluid management solutions, has been officially empanelled by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to supply 25,000 solar pumping systems worth Rs 7.5 billion under the Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Scheme. Earlier, in December 2024, Shakti Pumps received a letter of empanelment from MSEDCL to supply 25,000 standalone off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping systems, amounting to around Rs 7.5 billion, under the same scheme.
Power
Centrifugal pumps are widely preferred in power plants due to their ability to manage large fluid volumes and perform efficiently under high pressure. They play a critical role in circulating water within cooling systems, transporting fuel oil and lubricating oil, and transferring water from the condenser to the boiler. Additionally, centrifugal pumps are commonly employed for firefighting applications in power plants. Among the various types of centrifugal pumps, radial flow pumps are the most popular due to their ability to function under high pressure. Further, mixed flow pumps, while slightly less efficient, can operate effectively under lower pressure conditions.
Pumps are also used in hydropower projects, primarily in pumped storage systems, to transfer water from a lower reservoir to an upper one during off-peak electricity demand, storing energy for later use. During peak demand, the stored water flows back down to generate electricity. Pumps also support auxiliary systems in hydropower systems, such as cooling turbines and maintaining operational efficiency.
Shipping
Pumps play a crucial role in various marine operations, performing essential functions aboard ships. Centrifugal pumps are employed for bilge pumping to remove water accumulated in the bilge area of the ship. They are also instrumental in creating a vacuum within a ship’s hull, particularly during construction or repair work. These pumps are also used to transfer freshwater to meet the crew’s needs and support routine operational activities. These pumps are also crucial for transferring fuel from storage tanks to the ship’s engines or redistributing it between tanks for better weight management and operational balance. Other applications include firefighting, and sewage and waste management.
In August 2024, Marine Electricals and Cummins India entered into an MoU to manufacture pumps for marine navy ships. The MoU entails supply, commissioning and after-sales services exclusively for the Indian Navy.
Pumps also play a key role in the oil and gas sector. This includes the transportation of fuels across various transportation stages. Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Limited recently supplied 16 pump packages for the Paradip-Numaligarh crude oil pipeline project across four pumping stations.
Other use cases
HVACs
Centrifugal pumps are mainly used in the commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry to move chilled water, heating hot water and condenser water. These pumps are available in various configurations, including end suction, split-case and vertical turbines. End-suction pumps are the most commonly used in the HVAC industry, featuring an inlet positioned at the centre of the impeller’s eye. These pumps are categorised as either close-coupled or frame-mounted. They are used across various facilities, from small homes and commercial projects to large estates ensuring safety and energy efficiency.
The Indian Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) aims to meet India’s increasing cooling needs sustainably. Pumps play a crucial role in this initiative by circulating fluids in cooling systems like HVAC and refrigeration. Enhancing pump efficiency helps reduce energy consumption in line with the ICAP’s objectives. In addition, efficient pumps support district cooling and renewable solutions, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Construction
Pumps play a key role in construction, supporting tasks such as dewatering, water supply and other essential infrastructure activities. They are critical in underground engineering, tunnel construction and deep excavation, where they efficiently remove water to maintain project continuity.
Firefighting
In firefighting systems, especially in high-rise buildings, centrifugal pumps ensure high-pressure water delivery for effective and timely fire suppression. Firefly fire pumps has supplied its products to all major state services and all major PSUs. In June 2024, the Telangana fire department received Rs 1.9 billion under the 15th Finance Commission Expansion and Modernisation Grant. The department plans to procure advanced firefighting and rescue vehicles and equipment, including a 104 metre hydraulic platform, a 68 metre turntable ladder, a 32 metre hydraulic platform, a firefighting robot, inflatable rescue boats, and 18 quick response fire vehicles equipped with high-pressure pumps. The estimated cost for these procurements is Rs 875.7 million. Additionally, KBL has been involved in supplying firefighting pump sets to significant infrastructure projects, such as the Atal Tunnel project. Proper drainage is essential in tunnel infrastructure to prevent water buildup that could jeopardise structural integrity and safety. The Atal Tunnel features a drainage system which manages water ingress by diverting it away from the roadway, incorporating oil separation plants to comply with environmental standards. These pumping systems are essential for maintaining safety and operational reliability in the challenging Himalayan conditions.
Future outlook
The Indian pump market is witnessing growing demand across sectors such as power, shipping and urban water management, with diversified applications in firefighting, construction and HVAC systems. The demand for pumps is expected to be further driven by government initiatives such as Make in India, Maritime India Vision 2030 and the India Cooling Coalition. With the integration of technology and recent advancements, the pump sector is expected to benefit from energy-efficient, smart pumps, with real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Going forward, growth in sectors such as agriculture, power and urban water management is expected to drive the demand for pumps. Further, emerging opportunities in areas such as pumped storage and technology integration are expected to shape the future of the Indian pump market.
