In recent years, Maharashtra, a pioneering state in developing the integrated watershed development approach, has shifted to technocratic, quick fix, and fragmented approaches to address water scarcity. Ignoring past policy experiences, these approaches, driven by techno-optimism and reliant on machine-led interventions, neglect associated social processes and basic hydrological principles, thereby rendering them ineffective in addressing water scarcity issues. Similar trends in many states across the country make this issue a matter of great concern. While a bottom-up, integrated approach with demand-side measures may seem time-consuming, it remains the only sustainable solution for tackling this issue.