The Delhi Jal Board will be ready to provide treated water to 20 lakh people when Haryana releases raw supply through Munak Canal in a month-and-a-half, the Delhi Government said on Friday.
Officials said the Dwarka and Bawana water treatment plants can be commissioned in 30 days and 20 days respectively. The water treatment plant at Okhla, which is functioning at 50 per cent capacity, will see production increase to its designed capacity.
“The plants will function subject to release of Delhi’s legitimate share of raw water by Haryana,” said the statement.
The 40-MGD Dwarka plant’s raw water pump house at Iradat Nagar has been connected with Munak Canal, as per the orders of the High Court, and the plant is undergoing testing. Two water line connections — at Bhagya Vihar and Amar Colony — will be completed in 20 days.
The Dwarka plant was constructed three years ago and the one at Bawana 10 years ago. Both were lying idle as Delhi and Haryana carried on a dispute over who would get the 80-MGD of water that was saved from switching to a carrier-lined channel.
The 20-MGD Bawana water treatment plant has also been undergoing a trial run, though old machinery is in need of repair. The Jal Board is expected to finish work on the plant in 20 days.
The Okhla water treatment plant, which is currently functioning with recycled water from Chandrawal treatment plant, is being strengthened.
A senior water utility official added: “There is already some water in the canal and if Haryana keeps releasing it as per schedule, we will be in a position to supply to South, South-West, West and North-West parts of Delhi soon.”
However, the timing of the Government’s announcement is in question, with the Delhi Assembly elections likely to be announced this month.
