Delhi Government Releases Summer Action Plan to Meet Water Needs

New Delhi: Releasing its summer action plan to deal with water shortage, Delhi government on Tuesday emphasised on creating additional sources of water including installation of new tube wells and assured that Wazirabad and Chandrawal plants, which were frequently closed due to high ammonia content, will not be shut down this time.

Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said there will be no water crises in the coming months as the action plan has been prepared after several rounds of consultations with all MLAs on water requirements in their constituencies during summer.

25,000 fixed points have been identified by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for deployment of water tankers. These fixed points have been reduced from 30,000 to 25000 due to extension of water pipelines, he said.

While releasing the plan for the city, the minister also appealed to the Centre to come out with a similar nation-wide plan to ensure that people and farmers in other states do not suffer from water scarcity during summer.

According to the plan, DJB will be producing 900 millions of gallons per day (MGD) with erstwhile closed down plants in Dwarka and Bawana, after being restarted by the Delhi government, together producing an extra 55 MGD.

The water minister said 250 new tankers will be added to supply water to those areas where pipelines have not been laid. He said a new ammonia treatment plant has been installed to prevent frequent closure of Wazirabad and Chandrawal plant due to high ammonia content.

"DJB is also creating additional sources of water with the installation 12 new tube wells at Palla, increasing water supply from 20 to 35 MGD.

"Further, 60 new tubewells in different locations, rehabilitation of ranney wells and tubewells and replacement of old pumps and motors in water treatment plants (WTPs) and booster stations will ensure that Delhi produces enough water for all its citizens," Mishra told reporters.

He said the DJB has a target of laying pipelines in about 300 colonies and water supply will reach 165 new unauthorised colonies in next six months