New Delhi: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has announced plans to construct three major water treatment plants in Iradat Nagar (near Narela), Najafgarh (southwest Delhi), and Chhatarpur (south Delhi). Together, these plants will contribute an additional 235 MGD (million gallons per day) of treated water, adding crucial capacity amid growing demand.
The Iradat Nagar and Chhatarpur facilities will each offer 80 MGD, while Najafgarh will supply 75 MGD. Currently, Delhi’s population exceeds 2.5 crore, requiring approximately 1,250 MGD (based on 50 liters per person per day), but supply stands at only around 990 MGD, generated through nine existing plants.
Water Sourced from Himachal & Uttarakhand Dams
To support these new plants, DJB proposes sourcing raw water from dams in northern states. Notably, a Giri River dam in Himachal Pradesh is expected to provide 275 MGD. DJB has already invested Rs. 214.84 crore in the project. Additional contributions include Rs. 8.1 crore for Uttarakhand’s Kishau Dam and Rs. 7.7 crore for the Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam.
New Pipeline to Counter Yamuna Ammonia Crisis
Recent years have seen intermittent treatment plant shutdowns due to elevated ammonia levels in the Yamuna—Wazirabad ran at half capacity, Chandrawal output dropped by 10%, and Haiderpur, Bawana, and Dwarka saw 5–10% cuts. In response, DJB is launching a Rs. 300‑crore project to lay an 11‑km pipeline from Haiderpur WTP to the Wazirabad barrage. This conduit will ensure a raw water supply when ammonia contamination disrupts operations.
The pipeline, featuring a 2,400 mm diameter, will deliver around 680 cusecs of water from the Haryana Munak canal to the plant. The plan is part of the AMRUT scheme and is expected to be completed within two years.
