Addressing the issue of water scarcity in some parts of the city, Gupta said the government was working “on a war footing” to ensure that every resident receives adequate drinking water.
Photo:SNS
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting on the capital’s drinking water situation and directed officials to intensify efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply amid rising summer demand, while simultaneously accelerating long-term projects aimed at securing the city’s water future.
Addressing the issue of water scarcity in some parts of the city, Gupta said the government was working “on a war footing” to ensure that every resident receives adequate drinking water.
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“The Delhi Government is working on a war footing to deliver adequate drinking water to every citizen of the capital. We are giving equal priority to immediate relief measures as well as long-term solutions so that the water crisis can be permanently addressed in the future,” the Chief Minister said.
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She informed that concerns over water availability near the Wazirabad barrage had increased pressure on supply systems, prompting her to take up the matter with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
“After discussions with the Haryana Chief Minister, we have received an assurance that a minimum of 1,000 cusecs of water will continue to be supplied to Delhi through the Munak Canal. Protecting Delhi’s interests and ensuring drinking water availability remain among the government’s highest priorities,” Gupta said.
Officials informed the meeting that the Delhi Jal Board has deployed more than 980 water tankers carrying out over 6,000 trips daily to cater to areas facing shortages. Smaller tankers have also been pressed into service to reach congested colonies and narrow lanes.
To augment supply, additional borewells have been developed in the Yamuna Khadar region, resulting in an increase of around 10.5 million gallons per day (MGD) in water production capacity.
Taking a stern view of water leakages, the Chief Minister directed officials to respond swiftly to complaints and ensure accountability at every level.
“Every single drop of water is precious and any kind of wastage will not be acceptable,” she said, instructing Delhi Jal Board officials to personally monitor complaints and undertake field inspections wherever required.
According to official data reviewed during the meeting, the DJB received 11,055 complaints through its helpline over the past week, of which more than 8,500 have already been resolved. Gupta directed officials to expedite the disposal of all pending complaints and ensure adequate tanker deployment in affected areas.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need to simultaneously pursue long-term water security measures.
She directed officials to accelerate studies and projects aimed at reducing transmission losses and expanding supply infrastructure. Among the initiatives under consideration is a dedicated pipeline from Haryana to Delhi, for which a feasibility study is being undertaken by IIT Roorkee.
Other proposals include dredging and desilting work near Wazirabad, establishment of new water treatment plants and expansion of groundwater extraction infrastructure in the Yamuna Khadar area.
“The Delhi Government is fully committed to providing adequate and clean drinking water to citizens. Along with addressing present challenges, we are preparing for future needs to strengthen the capital’s water security,” Gupta said.
She also instructed officials to implement a phased dual water supply system that would enable treated water from sewage treatment plants (STPs) to be used for horticulture, vehicle washing and other non-potable purposes, thereby conserving potable water.
Emphasising water conservation, the Chief Minister called for a city-wide public awareness campaign to promote responsible water use.
“A permanent solution to the water crisis is possible not only by increasing supply but also through the judicious use and conservation of water,” she said.
As part of the conservation strategy, Gupta said rainwater harvesting infrastructure is being developed in 75 CM Shri schools. The government has also initiated plans for constructing 500 new rainwater harvesting structures and reviving 1,000 existing ones, with the tendering process already underway.
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