New Delhi: The Delhi government has given itself a target to provide drinking water through pipeline to all households in authorised and unauthorised colonies by 2017.
In the Budget announced on Wednesday, the government said that the scheme of giving 20 kilo litres water free per month to each family will continue.
“The DJB has earned Rs 178 crore more revenue despite the fact that more than 12.57 lakh consumers had zero water bill,” deputy CM Manish Sisodia said.
The city government had recently inaugurated its ambitious 24x7 drinking water supply from taps in Navjeevan Vihar area and according to Mr Sisodia, the scheme will be extended to entire Delhi. Emphasising on the need of rainwater harvesting, especially during water crisis, the minister said that the government plans to augment water production by 20 million gallons per day (MGD) by storing rainwater.
“Water supply is being augmented by adding new 92 tubewells, redevelopment of pumps of 100 tubewells and four ranney wells at Palla. Similarly, abandoned ranney wells are being revived. An action plan will be prepared for rejuvenating water bodies and baolis,” he said.
With regard to sewage network in Delhi, the government has proposed to rehabilitate all old sewage treatment plants to increase the quality standard of the treated effluent up to biochemical oxygen demand less than 10 for improvement in quality of river water.
“The Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) of 15 MGD capacity at Delhi Gate and 25 MGD STP at Yamuna Vihar have been commissioned. The construction of the mega STP of 315 MLD capacity at Coronation Pillar has been awarded and will be completed within next two years,” Mr Sisodia said.
The government has set a total expenditure of Rs 2,108 crore for water supply and sanitation in 2017-18.
