To tackle mounting revenue losses and constant wastage of water, the Delhi Jal Board has decided to rope in a consultant who will draw up a roadmap for handing over a water treatment plant in Nangloi to a private operator for maintenance and refurbishment.
According to senior Board officials the 40 MGD Nangloi WTP that provides water supply to North West Delhi, will be handed over to a private operator for a fixed duration of time.
“Like the Sonia Vihar WTP, that is being run and maintained by a private company, the Nangloi WTP too will be awarded to a private company that will first refurbish it, carry out the task of checking the entire length of pipelines to detect wastage and pilferage, checking of meters, and carry out the task of maintaining the system,” said a senior official.
The company will act on the guidelines provided by a consultant who will be appointed soon. “The Board will soon appoint a consultant from a panel that has been approved by the Planning Commission. The consultant will draw a roadmap within six months of being appointed, which will later form the basis of the company’s brief.”
“The DJB needs to confront the twin challenges of plugging revenue leaks as well as wastage of water. For equitable distribution, it is pertinent to stop the wastage of water – that is water that is not being put to use – and revenue losses due to stealing of water, not paying of bills etc.,” said the official.
So while the company will have the task of ensuring there are no leaks and no deliberate attempts to draw water illegally, it will not have the rights to collect revenue on behalf of the water utility.
“The company will carry out the work related to the installation of meters where there are none, checking the efficiency of the installed meters and changing the pipelines wherever required. The Board will carry out the work of collecting revenue.”
To carry out the work of refurbishment, the Board proposes to seek funds from the Planning Commission under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
“The project is part of the DJB’s long term efforts to curb water wastage and pilferage and to reduce substantially our revenue losses. We are carrying out this work on the lines of Nagpur, where a similar pilot project is underway. It will help us streamline the supply in North West Delhi,” said the official.
Facing criticism for failing to improve the sewerage system and for not providing adequate water for consumption, the Board, which is responsible for the supply of water and collection, treatment and disposal of sewage in the city, has also decided to rope in consultants for preparing a master plan for water and sewerage system for 2021.
