People in distress, fix water issues in 7 days: Resolution in Assembly directs chief secy

With unanimity, the Assembly emphasised accountability, asserting that if the issues persist beyond March 15, the Chief Secretary, who has also been directed to monitor the matter personally, will bear the responsibility.

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Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar (File Photo)

The Delhi Legislative Assembly, in a Resolution on Saturday, directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to resolve issues of sewage overflow, and water contamination and leakage in the national capital within a week.

The “indifference” of government officials concerned in this regard has plunged Delhi residents in different parts of the city into distress, as they grapple with the pressing issues of water scarcity and sewage overflow, read the Resolution. With unanimity, the Assembly emphasised accountability, asserting that if the issues persist beyond March 15, the Chief Secretary, who has also been directed to monitor the matter personally, will bear the responsibility.

This came even as a special session is scheduled for March 15, with an aim to tackle the issue head-on. Water Minister and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) chairperson, Atishi, while supporting the Resolution presented by fellow member Dilip Pandey, said they receive “numerous complaints daily” related to sewage overflow, contaminated water supply, and broken water pipelines.

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“On Friday alone, I received 80 complaints — both on my official email and personal email — related to DJB matters within 24 hours. The problem related to the DJB has become quite widespread in Delhi now. The DJB’s grievance redressal portal has over 10,000 pending complaints. I have sent these complaints to the CEO and DJB members several times,” she said.

Atishi further said that despite this, however, not a single report from the DJB CEO reached her in the past two months. “Therefore, all 80 complaints that came to me have been forwarded to the Delhi Chief Secretary. I have personally entrusted the Chief Secretary… to find a solution to the leakage in pipeline and sewage overflow within 48 hours… to find a complete solution within seven working days,” she added.

According to the Resolution presented in the Assembly, complaints related to sewage overflow, contaminated water supply, and leakage from water pipelines have been shared on the DJB’s complaint portal — 1916 — along with DJB officials. The Resolution read: However, despite receiving continuous complaints, the DJB “has not provided any solution to these issues. Although some problems were temporarily resolved, they resurfaced after a few days. As a result, the people of Delhi are forced to live in inhumane conditions”.

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