Delhi government will provide piped water in 500 slum clusters

In a bid to provide piped water connection to every household in JJ clusters, unauthorised colonies and rural areas, the Delhi government on Monday announced the Jal Adhikar Connection scheme. The AAP government has also decided to waive off Rs 1,100 crore of late payment surcharge on water bills owed by the city’s commercial establishments. Terming the scheme as “historic”, water minister Kapil Mishra said all late payment surcharge on water bills, which has been a long-pending demand of small hotel and restaurant owners, would also be waived off. Apart from these, the DJB has also decided to set up a large sewage treatment plant in the city, produce 16 megawatt of solar power by installing solar panels at the rooftops of the board’s offices and its unused land and 24x7 water supply in Mehrauli and Vasant Vihar areas.

“The DJB has decided to introduce Jal Adhikar Connection under which individual water connection will be given to every household in all the 500 JJ clusters. Tenants and villagers who do not have address proof can also apply for new water connections by producing identity proof under this policy,” Mr Mishra said.

He added that basements and DDA flats will be given individual water connections. “DJB will provide 100 per cent late payment surcharge rebate (LPSC) to all the consumers in the commercial category till November 30. LPSC rebate worth Rs 1,100 crore has been given which will benefit around 1.25 lakh consumers,” the minister said. All commercial consumers (individual and bulk) of DJB having a functional water metre and those who will get it installed before the closing date would be eligible for the benefits of the scheme. Commercial consumers can pay actual arrears by November 30 in one go or through a maximum of four instalments. The minister further said sewer charge on commercial connections has also been waived off for those using ground water with or without DJB connection. He said this would benefit hoteliers and small restaurants. DJB will also renew 81 water bodies and recycle and reuse water by forming three executive divisions. Also, the DJB has approved the proposal for construction of the 70 MGD waste water treatment plant with 10 years operation and maintenance on DBO basis at Coronation Pillar.