Afer a year marked by deaths of over half a dozen sanitation workers, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) took several decisions in its 136th board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday. The board deliberated and approved several key projects and schemes to benefit the residents of Delhi.

Administrative approval was accorded for deployment of 200 sewer cleaning machines designed specially for executing work in narrow lanes. They are expected to eliminate the practice of manual scavenging of sewers.

Among other major decisions taken by DJB was waiver of additional sewer charges for Dwarka residents.

A large number of people in the area had installed borewells because of serious water crisis and accordingly they were told to pay additional sewer charges after DJB took over Dwarka from DDA in 2015. The Chief Minister, who is also DJB chairman, recently visited the area to study the issue.

To tackle the problem of ammonia contaminating water supply, DJB took two decisions. A 2400 mm line for main line from Delhi sub-branch near Haiderpur WTP would be laid in order to reduce dependency on Yamuna for raw water but till it was laid, a wall would be constructed between drain no 6 and drain no 8 in Piue Maniyari, Sonepat, to segregate industrial waste and raw water which flows through the canal to Delhi. The wall will prevent ammonia permeating into raw water.

Meanwhile, to augment and rationalise water distribution system, the board approved construction of two underground reservoirs/ booster pumping stations of 9.1 ML and 5.8 ML at Bijwasan and Rajokri respectively. They will be fed through the extension of feeder main network of CT-6.

The date for levying penalty on residential areas for not having rainwater harvesting systems has been extended to 30 June 2018 for all areas of Delhi.

However, in line with Sewerage Master Plan 2031 for providing facilities in unsewered areas of Delhi, the board approved a proposal for construction of decentralised waste water treatment plants and rejuvenation/development of water bodies in Burari.

The scheme to reduce rates of sewer and water development charges in unauthorised/ regularised colonies was extended by Delhi Jal Board till 31 March 2018.

According to the scheme, a flat rate of Rs.100 per sq mtr would be applicable towards water and sewer development charges on domestic use only for properties falling under D, E, F, G and H categories of unauthorised colonies with plot area up to 200 sq mtrs.