New Delhi, August 26 (APAC Media): Delhi is set for a major upgrade of its water supply network with a Rs 2,500-crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The project is aimed at improving reliability, reducing water losses, and moving towards 24×7 water supply.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the project, supported through the Union Finance Ministry, will cover the entire water supply chain, from treatment plants and transmission networks to distribution lines and household connections.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has also approved two underground reservoirs (UGRs) and a project to install smart meters for real-time monitoring and better control of water losses.
Wazirabad Water Supply Network
The first phase will focus on the command area of the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, with DJB approving two packages worth Rs 805 crore and Rs 935 crore, respectively.
The project will cover around 43.96 sq km, nine UGR command areas and eight Assembly constituencies.
Around 2.15 lakh household connections are expected to come under the project, with 100 per cent metering planned for consumer connections.
The ADB is expected to fund 70 per cent of the project, while the remaining 30 per cent will be contributed by the Delhi government.
Focus on Reducing Water Losses
The project has set a target of reducing non-revenue water (NRW) to 15 per cent through network rehabilitation, accurate metering, District Metered Area (DMA)-based monitoring, and systematic leakage reduction.
Around 131 District Metered Areas will be created to track water entering the network, reaching consumers and being lost. The system is also expected to help identify leakages and unauthorised connections.
Rs 11,427-Crore Expansion Plan
The government is also pushing a larger Rs 11,427-crore water supply plan covering two zones in West Delhi and Southwest Delhi.
The proposed investment is expected to benefit around 36.4 lakh people and strengthen nearly 3,830 km of water network.
Under the proposed funding model, 25 per cent would come from the Centre, 25 per cent from the Delhi government and the remaining 50 per cent would be raised through loans and public-private partnership models.
Gupta also said work has begun on projects worth around Rs 2,990 crore for setting up 28 decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs), with work orders already issued.
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