Delhi govt ropes in TCS for water billing, meter installation

Under the new systen, a customer will be able to pay his bills online. A meeting of the Delhi Jal Board, presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, also decided to involve private sector in installation of 2.5 lakh water meters in selected residential areas in the city.

Later, private parties will be given responsibility to install water metres in the premises of those consumers who have not yet installed the water metres. The private entity will have to ensure maintenance of the metres for next five years.

"We have decided to involve TCS in our billing system. TCS will provide the software platform for the billing and issue bills to the consumers. The new system will start functioning in nine months' time," said DJB CEO Ramesh Negi.

He said the electronic system of billing will plug the loopholes in the current system and will help DJB in enhancing its revenue. Negi said DJB plans to adopt a "cluster model" for streamlining distribution of water through tankers and is considering handing over a particular zone to a private entity to run the service.

"We have also decided to install Global Positioning System in all the tankers so that their movement can be tracked. We also decided to impose penalties upto Rs 10,000 on tankers if they fail to supply water within a specific time period," he said.

In the meeting, Dikshit congratulated DJB for running an efficient water supply system during the Commonwealth Games. The meeting also approved a Rs 18.96 crore project for laying sewerage facilities in Mahipalpur, Ranpuri, Rajori, Smalkhan and Kapashera villages. The project is likely to be completed by December.

The meeting also approved laying of peripheral water lines near Ramlila Ground at a total cost of Rs 19.04 crore. Officials said the Board also approved installation of an 'Intelligent Transport System' which will track the movement of tankers in the city. The project will cost DJB Rs 61.45 crore. The Board also approved several welfare schemes for its employees.