DJB approves 600 EV tankers, water-stressed areas in focus

New Delhi: In a major push to reform the city's water and sewerage systems, Delhi Jal Board on Wednesday approved a clutch of new initiatives aimed at ending the grey market's grip on the supply of tanker water, strengthening sanitation in unauthorised colonies and accelerating the clean-up of Yamuna. Among the decisions taken at a board meeting chaired by water minister Parvesh Verma, the most significant one was the approval of 600 electric vehicles on which water tanks will be mounted.
Three hundred of these tankers will be deployed exclusively to cater to residential areas, particularly water-stressed and underserved ones. The rest will be operated on a regulated-payment model for commercial and institutional users — a move aimed at curbing the unregulated tanker market that has long dominated the sector.All tanks will be made of stainless steel to ensure water quality. The electric tankers, which will help reduce vehicular pollution, will be monitored through GPS-based tracking and app-enabled booking systems, allowing residents to track their movement and delivery in real time, bringing transparency and accountability. In another key decision, the board approved the revival of pondage area at Wazirabad barrage to improve raw water availability. Over the years, heavy silt deposition has drastically reduced the storage capacity of the barrage. The new project focuses on scientific desilting and restoration ahead of summer. Unlike in the past, this exercise will generate revenue through monetisation of the silt that will be removed, easing the board's financial burden. To address long-pending gaps in sanitation, sewer projects in four colonies — Sangam Nagar, Ranhola, Wazirabad and Begumpur — were cleared. To be completed within six to 12 months, they are expected to benefit around 12.5 lakh residents. Once their houses are connected to the network, sewage from these colonies will be carried to treatment plants, replacing open drains and reducing pollutants flowing into the Yamuna. As part of the rejuvenation efforts of the river, the board also approved the Zindpur decentralised sewage treatment project. It includes a 15 MGD (million gallons per day) treatment plant and allied infrastructure to intercept and treat sewage currently flowing untreated into the river from the Palla group of colonies. The project will cover 33 colonies and 14 villages in areas like Narela, Burari and Badli, and will benefit over 4 lakh people.With an eye on long-term planning, the board approved consultancy services for preparation and revalidation of Water Master Plan 2051, which will chart Delhi's water supply augmentation, infrastructure modernisation and sewerage management.The meeting also cleared project management consultancy for Wazirabad project, assisted by Asian Development Bank, and approved operation and maintenance of Bhagirathi and Dwarka water treatment plants to ensure uninterrupted water supply across large parts of the city. Board officials said the decisions reflect a renewed focus on transparency, accountability and citizen-centric service delivery in the city's water sector.