Mehrauli and its surrounding areas in south Delhi will have a better water supply infrastructure by the end of next year with Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit launching a project to augment the entire distribution and storage network which will cost around Rs 150 crore.
Under the project, being implemented under PPP mode, 33,000 metres of old pipeline will be replaced by new ones and five under ground reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 19 million litres of water will be constructed. The project will be completed within 21 months. The private entity which won the contract will maintain the infrastructure for a period of 10 years, senior Delhi Jal Board officials said.
“The ancient town of Mehrauli will have a new network of water supply system after twenty one months resulting in a permanent solution to existing problem of acute shortage of water," Dikshit said, adding, "people will not have to loose sleep for water."Exhorting people not to waste water, Dikshit also asked the citizens to install water metres in their premises to help Delhi Jal Board regulate the water distribution network in an efficient way.
Dikshit, who is also chairperson of DJB, said on completion of the project, people in Mehrauli and adjoining areas will get water supply twice daily instead of the current twice a week supply.
“The implementation of the scheme will result in regular supply of water to all the residents, efficient service delivery in respect of metering, billing along with redressal of consumer complaints,” she said.
The Government had decided to involve private entities to enhance the water distribution network. The project is the result of this decision where private parties will be involved in most aspects of water maintenance system.
Dikshit took the opportunity to highlight her government’s achievements and said despite the challenge of ever increasing population, sincere efforts have been made to provide all amenities to the citizens.
Women’s reservation
She also appreciated the presence of large number of women in the crowd and spoke about reservation of 50 per cent of the total 272 seats in the three proposed municipal corporations and said the fair sex will have to play an all important role in their functioning. The government has reserved 50 per cent of the seats for women in the three proposed municipalities instead of earlier 33 per cent.The municipal polls are slated for March. Dikshit added that Delhi was the only city in the world to reserve half of its seats for women in corporations.
