With summer approaching and demand for water in the capital expected to increase, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday announced a series of measures that will be implemented as part of its summer action plan. This includes increasing the fleet of water tankers, setting up two dozen emergency control rooms, installing new tube-wells and booster pumping stations among other measures. The action plan was decided in a review meeting held by the DJB on Monday. Officials said though the usual demand of water is around 1050 MGD (million gallons daily), the figure jumps to around 1200 MGD during summer. The DJB has directed all officials “to complete maintenance of the water treatment plants (WTPs) and associated infrastructure by the end of the month to avoid any major shutdowns in summer months”. [related-post] In areas which do not get piped water supply, the DJB plans to increase the number of water tanker rounds. Officials said while 913 out of 1,639 unauthorised colonies in the capital are getting water, piped water supply in the remaining colonies will be provided in a phased manner. In addition to these measures, the DJB will also upload the schedule and delivery points of water tankers in areas which do not have access to piped water. “New points for the tankers have been identified so that potable water is supplied even in remote areas. All 155 tanker filling hydrants are functional, which will help minimise the waiting time of tankers to fill water. We also plan to procure 250 new water tankers to add to our fleet. Tanker trips will also be increased to 6,400 trips per day, from last summer’s 6,100 trips per day, to meet the water demand in both planned and un-planned areas,” a statement by the DJB read. For areas facing acute shortage of water, the DJB also plans to install 78 tube-wells by mid-April. Eight new primary underground reservoirs (UGRs), or booster pumping stations, have been commissioned in various parts of the capital — Sultanpur Dabas, Qutab Garh, Ramlila Ground, Kirari, Kirti Nagar, Near ESI Hospital on Anandmai Marg, Janakpuri and Shalimar Park — the statement said. With the DJB taking charge of water and waste water services in Dwarka from the Delhi Development Authority earlier this month, the body is gearing up the Dwarka WTP to its optimum capacity so that the area does not face water shortage. Also, in an effort to strengthen its grievance redressal mechanism, the DJB will maintain 24 water emergency control rooms apart from a 24X7 customer care call centre. “The DJB’s enforcement department shall also carry out regular surprise checks, both at the control rooms and at the consumer end, in order to verify the timely redressal of complaints.,” an official said.
