Delhi Govt Plans Water Bill Waiver and Revives Major Water Projects

New Delhi, July 3 (PTI): Water Minister Parvesh Verma has announced that the Delhi government plans to introduce a comprehensive water bill waiver scheme in the coming months. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is currently in the process of upgrading its billing system software, with completion expected in two to three months.

Verma stated, "We are soon planning to completely waive off late payment surcharges for both domestic and government categories."

The DJB recently held a board meeting where it approved a collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to revive the Wazirabad water supply improvement project. Originally conceptualized in 2013, ADB had recused itself from the project, which was to receive Rs 2,433 crore in funding. The government has now reapproved the project, which will require permission from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) due to overseas funding. The revised cost of the Wazirabad project is approximately Rs 3,715 crore, benefiting over 30.16 lakh people across 123 square kilometers, including areas such as Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, Model Town, Burari, and more.

The DJB has also greenlit water connections for in-situ rehabilitation projects for slum dwellers at Katputli Colony near Shadipur depot, as well as housing projects for lower-income groups by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

In a move to enhance sewer connectivity, the DJB approved projects in unauthorized colonies in east Delhi’s Sonia Vihar and Hassanpur. Verma noted that sewage from these colonies often enters the river directly. To address this, the sewage will be trapped and treated through the installation of new lines, which is anticipated to improve the health of the Yamuna river.

The Sonia Vihar project, costing Rs 69 crore, is due for completion within a year, while a new decentralized sewage treatment plant for Hassanpur will be constructed at a cost of Rs 51.43 crore, to be completed in a year and a half.

Verma also mentioned the approval of a proposal to fill 131 vacancies through the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), with the file currently with the LG office for approval. Additionally, the DJB will accept job applications from retired engineers from public sector units (PSUs) to ensure better project execution and technical supervision. These retired engineers will serve as consultants.

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