Delhi govt to form DJB body, bring policy to regularise illegal borewells, commercial establishments: Water Minister Parvesh in assembly
He also blamed the previous AAP-led Delhi government for not integrating unauthorised colonies into the Master Plan of Delhi, and accused them of allowing these to expand for "political gain” and “vote bank”.
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The minister, in his reply to another question, said that a pipeline project worth Rs 7 crore was executed in Sangam Vihar, but due to leakage, it never became operational. (Image: @p_sahibsingh)Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Friday said that a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) agency will be formed and a regularisation policy will be formulated to crack down on illegal borewells run by private contractors and commercial establishments across the city.
Responding to questions raised in the legislative assembly on the city’s water crisis, he said that the Delhi government is already working on forming the DJB enforcement agency. “The current situation in Delhi is a result of 11 years of negligence. Abruptly shutting all borewells is not practical. Action is being taken against those selling water from borewells. An enforcement team is being formed to monitor commercial establishments and impose penalties if necessary,” said the minister.
The minister, in his reply to another question, said that a pipeline project worth Rs 7 crore was executed in Sangam Vihar, but due to leakage, it never became operational.
“Now officials are seeking an additional Rs 4 crore to repair it — an example of sheer negligence by the previous administration,” he said.
He also blamed the previous AAP-led Delhi government for not integrating unauthorised colonies into the Master Plan of Delhi, and accused them of allowing these to expand for “political gain” and “vote bank”.
“This (AAP) might be the first government in the country that actually let water wastage rise. If we bring this down to even 10 per cent, Delhi will no longer face any water shortage,” he claimed.
He also revealed that the Asian Development Bank had refused to fund water projects under the previous government due to their demand of a 6 per cent commission. “Within just a week of our government taking charge, the ADB reinitiated talks and expressed willingness to cooperate.”
The minister further informed the house that new pipelines have been laid along 15 km, and 58 km of old lines have been replaced in the past few months. Pipelines, which had stopped functioning, have also been fixed.
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