Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has asked the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to take immediate steps to plug leakages to ensure more availability of water in the system. Ms. Dikshit, who is also the chairperson of the DJB, reviewed the water utility's preparedness for the summer on Thursday and said a task force for preventing theft and wastage of water should be formed soon.
Motivating the officials and staff to be more consumer-friendly, the Chief Minister asked senior officials to ensure regular field visits which would help them in familiarising with the problems of the area and inspire confidence among the people.
“The preparedness of the team in handling early summer is commendable. As a result this summer is turning out to be better in respect of water compared with last year despite the high temperatures and heat,” she said.
The Chief Minister was informed that the average water produced in 2009-2010 was 790 MGD, which was increased to 835 MGD before this summer. There are about 17 lakh registered water connections and over 138 water-filling points from where water is supplied through tankers.
Jal Board CEO Ramesh Negi said by recycling the waste water previously wasted in the water treatment process at Haiderpur, Bhagirathi and Wazirabad water treatment plants, the DJB has been able to add 35 MGD to the city's supply.
This has enabled the DJB to provide a pipe network in 208 colonies or parts of colonies which were preciously not covered. Another 8 MGD would be made available by recycling the same at the Chandrawal water treatment plant this summer, he said.
The Jal Board officials informed that new underground reservoirs (UGRs) have been added to augment the water-storage capacity and supply adequate water in the catchment areas of the respective UGR.
Proper and effective monitoring of deployment of water tankers, regular interactions with residents' welfare associations and field inspections have been augmented to ensure better services.
“Special instructions have been issued for the inspection of bore-wells and tube-wells and to ensure their proper functioning by the maintenance engineers concerned. All public hydrants have physically checked and certified to be operational. Special emphasis was given to manhole cleaning and sewer de-silting in colonies. Jetting-cum-suction machines to be made available as and when required,” said a Jal Board official.
“Each division has been asked to identify a special task force on stand-by to be deputed at short notice for repair of leakages or to deal with any emergent situation regarding disruption in water supply. All 24 water emergencies have been geared up for the summer. The central control room has been technologically upgraded with positioning of requisite officials at Varunalaya Complex. The Jal Board tankers have been made roadworthy and maintenance of water works, UGRs and water mains has been undertaken,” he added.
Keywords: Delhi Jal Board, Sheila Dikshit, water wastage
