India, July 30 -- The Delhi government on Wednesday approved a series of water supply projects aimed at improving access to drinking water, strengthening storage infrastructure and modernising the city's distribution network. Among the key decisions taken at the 179th Delhi Jal Board (DJB) meeting was the approval of a Rs.58-crore project to install 250 free water ATMs across the national capital. Addressing a press conference, Water Minister and DJB Chairman Parvesh Sahib Singh said the water ATMs would be installed in phases, with government schools being prioritised in the initial stage. "We have approved the project in the Board meeting. The rollout will begin with government schools," Singh said. According to the plan, the water ATMs will also be installed at educational institutions and one unit will be set up in each municipal ward to improve access to safe drinking water.
The Board also approved the construction of two underground reservoirs (UGRs). A 4.8 MGD reservoir at Sangam Vihar, costing Rs.193 crore, will benefit around 4.85 lakh people, while a 1.2 MGD UGR at Tughlaqabad Village, estimated at Rs.48 crore, is expected to serve 1.12 lakh residents. To strengthen Delhi's long-term water security, the DJB approved a pre-feasibility study by IIT Roorkee for laying a pressure main from the Munak Regulator to Haiderpur to carry 1,050 cusecs of water. The proposed project, estimated to cost around Rs.7,240 crore, envisages solar-powered pumping to improve energy efficiency.
The Board also cleared the revival and restoration of the Wazirabad Pondage Area to increase raw water storage capacity. Singh said the project aims to enhance the pond's holding capacity from the current one-day reserve to nearly two to three days, improving the city's preparedness during periods of low raw water availability. In addition, the DJB approved the appointment of a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the Asian Development Bank-assisted Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant Command Area, a project expected to benefit around 26 lakh people across 11 Assembly constituencies, Adarsh Nagar, Model Town, Timarpur, Madipur, Shalimar Bagh, Wazirpur, Tri Nagar, Shakur Basti, Rithala, Badli and Burari. The DJB also approved a Water Master Plan, an NRW reduction strategy for six zones, and long-term operation and maintenance of three water treatment plants.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.