Dwarka plant to supply water from March 16.

Residents facing water problems in Dwarka can expect relief this month after the Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) water treatment plant takes charge of supply from the Delhi Development Authority on March 16. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the inauguration of the Dwarka Water Treatment Plant on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Kejriwal said, 'Because of this water treatment plant, 13 lakh residents will get water… During our last government, Residents' Welfare Associations from Dwarka had complained about water supply problems in their areas.'

The plant, which has a capacity of 50 million gallons daily (MGD), was lying unused due to lack of raw water supply from the Munak Canal in Haryana.

Following an intervention by the Delhi High Court, trial runs were conducted by the DJB and the plant started functioning partially last month.

Kejriwal pointed out that with DJB taking over supply in Dwarka, water bills will reduce by a considerable margin.

'Residents of Dwarka will get water at cheaper rates. The DDA used to include booster charges to ensure water supply at a decent pressure. This was a part of the water bill. However, the DJB will not include these booster charges. In addition, our government has announced that households with metered connections will get up to 20 kilolitre water free every month. These two things will bring down water bills of Dwarka residents,' Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal said the WTP will not be functioning to its full capacity.

'This plant is operating at 20 per cent capacity. This is because raw water from Haryana has to reach the plant through the Munak Canal. We have won a case in the High Court on the issue of Haryana supplying water to Delhi. A week ago, I had written to the Haryana chief minister, who assured that Delhi will be supplied with water as per the High Court's directions,' Kejriwal said.


THE INDIAN EXPRESS