Late surcharge waiver in water bills: DJB waives off Rs 9 cr in penalties, collects Rs 6 cr

“This overwhelming participation shows the growing sense of responsibility among Delhi’s residents. The scheme was introduced to help consumers settle their old dues without the burden of heavy penalties. Thousands have come forward to clear their accounts, and this shows that when governance is transparent and people-centric, people respond with trust and cooperation,” Singh said.

He added that the revenue generated through this scheme will be directly utilised to strengthen the city’s water infrastructure, repair pipelines, and improve supply in colonies that face shortages. “Our aim is to ensure every drop of water in Delhi is accounted for and reaches every household efficiently,” said Singh.

The scheme offers waivers on late payment surcharges for consumers who clear their old dues voluntarily. It mainly targets domestic consumers with long-pending arrears. Singh has directed officials to assist senior citizens and economically weaker households in availing the scheme before the rebate window closes, said officials, adding that all collections are being monitored in real time.

“This initiative is not just about revenue; it is about rebuilding a culture of accountability and mutual trust between the government and the people. Every rupee collected will flow back into improving Delhi’s water system,” said Singh.

Digital payments under the scheme have been rising, reflecting the success of making the billing and payment systems more citizen-friendly, DJB officials said. The government aims to recover Rs 5,000 crore in pending dues of the DJB, waiving late payment surcharge amounts to the tune of Rs 11,000 crore, they added.

Under the scheme, the domestic consumers would be able to avail a complete waiver on late payment surcharges till January 31 next year, followed by a 70% waiver between February 1 and March 31, 2026.