Unveiling the summer action plan for the national capital, the Delhi government on Tuesday emphasised on creating additional sources of water, including installation of new tubewells, and assured that
Unveiling the summer action plan for the national capital, the Delhi government on Tuesday emphasised on creating additional sources of water, including installation of new tubewells, and assured that Wazirabad and Chandrawal plants, which were frequently closed due to high ammonia content, will not be shut down this time.
Water minister Kapil Mishra said that the government is fully prepared and there will be no water crises in the coming months as the action plan has been prepared after several rounds of consultations with all MLAs and RWAs on water requirements in their constituencies during summer..
“Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is fully prepared. The biggest achievement is that the government is ensuring 900 MGD (million gallons per day) of water supply and it will continue during the summer. We have also installed 60 new tubewells at various locations,” Mr Mishra said, unveiling the Summer Action Plan (SAP) 2016.
25,000 fixed points have been identified by DJB for deployment of water tankers. These fixed points have been reduced from 30,000 to 25000 due to extension of water pipelines, he said.
While releasing the plan for the city, the minister also appealed to the Centre to come out with a similar nation-wide plan to ensure that people and farmers in other states do not suffer from water scarcity during summer.
The SAP was prepared after consulting all stakeholders, including Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and legislators. “The SAP is a detailed analysis in which we have prepared an assembly segment-wise and district-wise list of areas which face severe water crisis. It will help in identifying the problem and solving it,” he said.
The minister said 250 new tankers will be added to supply water to those areas where pipelines have not been laid. He said a new ammonia treatment plant has been installed to prevent frequent closure of Wazirabad and Chandrawal plant due to high ammonia content.
“DJB is also creating additional sources of water with the installation 12 new tubewells at Palla, increasing water supply from 20 to 35 MGD.
“Further, 60 new tubewells in different locations, rehabilitation of ranney wells and tubewells and replacement of old pumps and motors in water treatment plants (WTPs) and booster stations will ensure that Delhi produces enough water for all its citizens,” Mr Mishra told the media.
He said the DJB has a target of laying pipelines in about 300 colonies and water supply will reach 165 new unauthorised colonies in next six months.
DJB has created proper infrastructure plan for 40 Assembly constituencies which are water deficient, and 55 constituencies which are vulnerable to water contamination.
“To ensure potable water which is wholesome and meets prescribed drinking water standards as per BIS-10500: 2012, all the 12 DJB water testing laboratories, including 7 zonal laboratories, have been fully geared up for intensive checking of water samples at the plants and at the consumers end,” he said.
