Due to the tireless efforts of the Kejriwal government, the transmission loss of water coming to Delhi through the Munak Canal has reduced by 25%, and by replacing 3500 km of pipeline and laying 7300 km of new pipeline, leakage has also reduced below international standards. The government has spent ₹500 crores to stop the transmission loss of the Munak Canal and this has reduced the wastage of water from 30% to 5%. In the last 9 years, to stop the wastage of water due to leakage, 3500 km of pipeline has been replaced, 3285 flow meters have been installed, the Jal Board has issued 1323 challans and disconnected 179 illegal connections. Currently, due to insufficient water being released into the Yamuna from Haryana, the water production in Delhi has reduced by 50 MGD. Due to this, there is a shortage of water in many areas. The Delhi Water Minister said that the government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court giving detailed information about the steps taken to stop water wastage in Delhi and increase water production.
Delhi’s Water Minister Ms. Atishi said in a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat that the Supreme Court has been hearing the case on the water crisis in Delhi for the past one week. Yesterday, in its hearing, the Supreme Court had asked the Delhi government what steps the Delhi government is taking to prevent water from being wasted? Today, the Delhi government told the Supreme Court about the steps taken in the past year and the steps being taken in the past month in the current water crisis.
Elaborating on the steps taken by the Kejriwal administration, the Delhi Water Minister stated, “Earlier, there was a transmission loss of 30% in the water coming to Delhi from Haryana through Wazirabad and unlined Delhi Sub Branch. But Delhi Jal Board (DJB) constructed Carrier Lined Channel (CLC) at a cost of ₹500 crore and reduced the transmission loss from 30% to 5%. Delhi government has replaced 3,500 kilometers of leaking water pipelines in the last 9 years to stop leakage and wastage. Earlier, in those areas of Delhi where there was no water pipeline, water was stolen by illegally tapping the main pipelines, but to stop this, 7300 kilometers of pipeline was laid in Delhi. Due to this, water is now reaching people in unauthorized colonies and JJ clusters in a dignified manner.”
She further informed that along with this, the Delhi government has installed 3285 bulk flow meters on a large scale across Delhi to measure the flow of water. So that the places from where water comes out of the water treatment plant, the points at which the water pipeline separates, the points at which the water pipeline reaches the UGR. Flow meters have been installed at all those points. According to the recent water audit conducted on the primary UGR and UGR from the water treatment plant in Delhi, there is less water leakage here than even international standards.
“Also, the Delhi government has deployed all ADM-SDM level officers to monitor water pipelines to prevent wastage of water due to pipeline leakage in the city. For monitoring the main water distribution network, these special teams will monitor the main water distribution network from the main water source to the water treatment plant and from there to the primary UGR. Today, I myself inspected a main water distribution pipeline located at Akshardham. These pipelines carry water from the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant and supply water to South Delhi. No leakage was seen here,” the Water Minister added.
Minister Atishi mentioned that rumors are being spread that there is a lot of leakage in the pipelines at many places. This is not the case at all. Until the water reaches UGR from the water treatment plant, not only the flow meter but also the patrolling team formed by Delhi Jal Board monitors all the main distribution lines of water. “I assure the people of Delhi that the water being produced in Delhi is being supplied to the people of Delhi. And there is no leakage on a large scale anywhere and if there is any leakage, it is removed within 12 hours,” she added.
The Water Minister further said that Delhi Jal Board has deployed enforcement teams in the city to stop the wastage of water. They have been going to the field at 7 am for the last 10 days and if water is being wasted by people anywhere, they are issuing challans. 1,323 challans have been issued so far. Also, 179 illegal water connections from where water was being stolen and wasted have been cut. Also, a command and control center has been set up by the Jal Board, where the data of all flow meters is checked and more than 2,000 pipeline leakages have been identified and fixed in the last 6 months through data and ground inspection by a leak detection cell.
Minister Atishi shared, “The Delhi government is taking every necessary step to stop the wastage of water. Today there is indeed a shortage of water in Delhi. Including all the water treatment plants and rainy wells of Delhi, about 1,000 to 1,005 MGD of water is produced in Delhi every day. This water goes to different parts of Delhi but due to water shortage, this production has decreased in the last one week. On June 6, 1,002 MGD of water was produced in Delhi. On June 7, it decreased to 993 MGD. On June 9, it reached 973 MGD and yesterday on June 12, it reached 951 MGD. That is, today the water production in Delhi is decreasing by 50 MGD. Due to this, there is a shortage of water in many areas of Delhi.”
“We have placed this data before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court believes that this is a technical issue, on which the Upper Yamuna River Board will take a decision. In this regard, the Supreme Court has directed the Upper Yamuna River Board to hold a meeting on this issue and take a decision as soon as possible,” the Minister conveyed.
Minister Atishi appealed to all Delhiites and said that there is a water shortage in Delhi, so it is the responsibility of all Delhiites to use water judiciously and not waste water in any way. Prevent wastage due to overflowing of water tanks in homes, do not wash vehicles with pipes, do not use the supplied water for gardening, washing roofs and balconies until the water problem is solved. Areas with large private gardens should order tankers from Delhi Jal Board and use reusable water.
“There is a severe water problem in Delhi right now and until the Upper Yamuna River Board takes a decision in the next 2-3 days, there will be a water shortage in Delhi. In such a situation, all Delhiites need to fight this water crisis together. And if Delhiites see water pipelines leaking anywhere, then tag Delhi Jal Board’s ‘X’ (erstwhile Twitter) handle @delhijalboard on social media,” She informed.
Factsheet based on SC Affidavit: GNCTD’s Efforts to resolve Delhi’s Water Crisis:
Part 1: Steps taken by Delhi Govt to Save Water Wastage
- Reduced losses in water transmission from Haryana to Delhi: From 30% to 5%.
a). Earlier the raw water from Yamuna and Ravi Beas sources used to come in Delhi at Wazirabad and Haiderpur through river course and unlined Delhi sub Branch (DSB), resulting in 30% loss in unlined canal.
b). DJB spent about Rs 500 Crores in constructing Carried Lined Channel (CLC) and the losses reduced from 30% in the river course to 5%.
- Replaced 3500 km and Added 7300 km new pipelines:
a). Replacing old and leaking pipelines: In last 8 years, 3500 km of pipelines have been replaced (437 km annually).
b). 5,200 km of new pipelines laid in unauthorized colonies in the last 10 years.
c).~2100 km of new water pipeline laid in rural areas/urban villages/resettlement colonies/ squatter resettlement colonies in the last 10 years.
- Preventing misuse of water: Daily inspections & reporting and quick response teams
a). DJB officials have been directed to conduct daily inspections in their zones to check for wastage/misuse of potable water through overflow of water tanks, use of water at construction sites, illegal connections etc and take necessary penal actions.
b). Officers are required to submit daily reports along with photographs for actions taken
a). Constitution of Quick Response Team (QRT):
i. For managing complaints regarding water tankers and other water related complaints.
ii. QRT also is directed to monitor and inspect the main water distribution network and ensure that there are no leakages in the pipeline.
iii. In case of leakage, the same was directed to be repaired within 12 hours.
iv. Issued instructional order that activities such as sprinkling water on roads be stopped in view of the ongoing shortage of drinking water.
- Reducing Non Revenue Water (NRW) by 1010 District Metered Areas, Leak Detection
Cells, Summer Action Plan 2024 and recovery drives: “NRW is water which has not been billed, and not the water that is being “wasted”. It is still
available for utilisation”
a. Though other cities have even higher levels of NRW (Kolkata (75%), Pune (100%), Guwahati (66%) than Delhi (52%), DJB is still committed to reducing the ratio of NRW.
b. DJB has taken over the maintenance of house service connections.
c. Replacing defective meters and has streamlined the system for purchasing water meters of approved specifications from the open market.
d. Consumers with defective meters have been permitted to replace them with private meters and can get a refund of the security for their metre or to get the amount adjusted in their water bill.
e. Enhancing 1010 District Metered Areas (DMAs):
i. 100 DMAs have been constructed in-house to analyze the data to reduce NRW
ii. DMA works in command areas of Chandrawal WTP (170) have been executed, and Malviya Nagar (9) and Nangloi (35) Water Treatment plants are under execution. This has led to the reduction in NRW to the extent of 20% – 30%, besides improvement in services to consumers.
iii. GNCTD has invested significant capital to ensure implementation of DMAs. 300cr were given by Delhi Government for the implementation of 170 DMAs in Chandrawal WTP.
iv. Collaborated with WATCO (Water Corporation of Orissa) to achieve large-scale distribution network improvements by creating 796 DMAs . (WATCO has reduced the NRW in Odisha which was prevailing at
more than 50% to less than 15% in 7 cities)
f. Regular Monitoring of leakages and consumption prevented 2000 leakages and initiated installation of 3285 bulk flow meters:
i. Data centre has been established in Jhandewalan where online data of water consumption is received in real time
ii. The Leak Detection Cell has been strengthened, which has pointed out around 2000 leakages during last 6 months
iii. Initiated projects for installation of around 3285 bulk flow meters in the primary and secondary system;
g. Specific drive has been initiated under Summer Action Plan 2024 to curb misuse and wastage of water and regularisation/ disconnection of unauthorised / illegal water connection w.e.f. 31.05.2024. As a result, total 1323 challans have been issued and 179 unauthorised connections have been disconnected till 11.06.2024.
h. Recovery drive was also carried out for recovery of dues and disconnection of water connection of defaulters. As a result, 2237 connections have been
disconnected and an amount of Rs.32.77 crore has been recovered from 3133 consumers till 31.05.2024.
i. Smart metering in phased manner: Tendering underway:
a. DJB in the 167th meeting held on 17.01.2024 has unanimously decided to undertake smart metering in a phased manner. In the first phase, all commercial and bulk connections shall be covered.
b. 12 vendors delivered presentations to showcase their business model and product after Expression of Interest was invited from the prospective vendors by publishing newspaper ads on Feb 16.
c. Tendering process for empanelment of vendors for smart metering is underway.
- Eradicating Tanker Mafia:
a). Tankers are needed in Delhi to cater to areas where the water supply is to be connected or inadequate. Also used to supplement sudden water supply disruptions (like maintenance of WTPs etc).
b). In Delhi, the water supplied by DJB and Private tankers combined is around 5-6 MGD, which constitutes only 0.5% of total supply.
c). DJB has been trying to improve the availability of water tankers so that even private tankers can be replaced by public tankers. Multiple letters have been written by the Petitioner Government to the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi (who is presently in charge of ensuring action.
d). The tanker mafia is operational on the Haryana side of the Yamuna river (i.e., it is operational prior to the water reaching the CLC or DSB), over which
DJB has no jurisdiction.
- Augmenting the availability of water by rejuvenating water bodies and rainwater
harvesting systems:
a). Around 31 DDA water bodies have been rejuvenated so far.
b). DJB has installed rainwater harvesting structures in its 594 premises and 89 premises of departments other than DJB which are being maintained by PWD
c). DJB has mandated implementation of rainwater harvesting in all buildings having plot sizes 100 Sq. Metre and above. To incentivise this effort, after
obtaining Rainwater Harvesting Adequacy Certificate, a 10% rebate is givenon water bills.
d). To encourage the people of Delhi to implement RWH system in their premises DJB provides financial assistance up to Rs.50,000/- or 50% cost
of RWH system whichever is less. Further to facilitate the implementation of RWH DJB has created Jal Shakti Kendra in each revenue district of Delhi including a dedicated RWH cell for guidance and imparting knowledge of RWH system.
e). As a penal measure for non-compliance, the tariff is increased by 1.5 times till rainwater harvesting system is installed and intimated to the respective Zonal Revenue Officer.
PART 2: MORE IN THE PIPELINE
- Augmentation of Groundwater resources:
a. Revival of 10 artificial lakes, 62 DDA and 131 other water bodies; recharge of existing aquifers using treated water from STPs.
b. DJB is in the process of developing around 10 artificial lakes so far. It is in the process of developing 25 artificial lakes and around 1000 water bodies in the future.
i. The DJB is already working on 7 DDA water bodies. 24 DDA water bodies are expected to be taken up – making a total of 62 water bodies being
rejuvenated by the DJB.
ii. Additionally, 131 water bodies of GNCTD are also being taken up. Further, DDA has also been requested to survey 381 water bodies for demarcation and rejuvenation along with permission to DJB to extract ground water.
- Restricting groundwater extraction in over exploited areas, especially in districts of
New Delhi, Shahdara, South Delhi, North Delhi and North East Delhi; - Ground water extraction by installing tube-wells in the localized areas having high ground water levels;
- Rehabilitation of 6 MGD Ammonia Removal Plant at Okhla with GroundWater, sourced from Ranney Wells.
- Installation of 4 new Ranney wells at Patparganj and Vikas Marg,
- Augmenting Capacity of Water Treatment Plants
a). A Second Dwarka WTP (50 MDG): Apart from an existing WTP in Dwarka of 50 MGD capacity, a second one of the same capacity is being constructed here to meet the estimated water demand of 100 MGD of 14 to 15 Lakh residents of Dwarka sub-city, Ujwa, Daulatpur, Nazafgarh and adjoining colonies, Delhi Airport, Malam, Uttam Nagar group of colonies, Sagarpur group of colonies, Bijwasan and Rajokari village. The work that started in August 2021, will finish in December 2024.
b). Development of Chandrawal WTP to meet the needs of about 22 lakh residents (11% of Delhi population) of Old Delhi area of Chandni Chowk, Pahari Dhiraj, Jama Masjid, Sadar Bazar, Paharganj, Idgah, Civil Lines, Karol Bagh, Kamla Nagar, Malkaganj, Rajinder Nagar, Shadipur, Patel Nagar, Naraina, Palam Vihar, etc; the NDMC and Cantonment area is also being supplied from Chandrawal WTP. The project of construction of 477 MLD WTP at Chandrawal was awarded in August, 2019 at a total cost of Rs.598.57 Cr. The O&M period is 16 years (including 2 years of Defect Notification Period). The entire project is proposed to be executed in six packages and expected to be completed by January 2027. The Package 1 part of
The plant to construct 477 MLD WTP is expected to be partially commissioned (i.e. 50%) by December, 2024 and the overall completion is expected by March 2025.
b). Master Balancing Reservoir (MBR) / Underground Reservoir (UGR)
Palla MBR (39 ML capacity): It will store tube well water in Palla and supply it in areas of Holambi, Siraspur, Burari, Narela as per requirements. The expected completion date is December 2024.
Rajokri (5.8 ML): The UGR will provide relief to the water deficit area of Rajokri Village and adjoining areas and will benefit around 1.27 Lakh population. The work worth Rs.16.97 Cr. including 10 years O&M started on 29.05.2019 with the expected date of completion being December 2024.
Bijwasan (9.1 ML): The WTP will provide relief to the water deficit area of Bijwasan, Salapur, Kapashera and Samalka and will benefit around 1.80 Lakh population. The work cost Rs.20.50 Cr. including 10 years O&M started on 29.05.2019 with the execution date of completion being December 2024.
Internet of Things (“IOT”) Based Monitoring:
a). The DJB is in the process of creating a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (“SCADA”) based system in order to get live updates of water usage on dashboards.
b). All primary and secondary UGRs to be monitored through IOT based systems
c). Work is in progress for bringing tube wells and borewells under the monitoring systems as well so that.
d). All tankers are also in the process of becoming GPS enabled with access control at all filling stations.
A. Enhancing Rain Water Harvesting systems: Of the total 9688 Govt. Rain Water Harvesting (RWH) Systems have been provided in 7121 buildings, RWH systems yet to be installed in 1362 buildings (by 30.06.2024) and not feasible in 1205 buildings.
