Complete water projects on priority basis: CM to officials
CM’s direction came during a meeting on water augmentation in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister and Delhi Jal Board Chairman Arvind Kejriwal directed concerned officials to complete various water augmentation projects on priority basis to meet the summer demands across the national capital. The direction from the CM came while he was chairing a meeting on water augmentation in Delhi through different projects on Wednesday. The CM directed officials to complete four water augmentation projects by March-end.
In the meeting, it was noted that the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has identified six locations on the Yamuna flood plain between Wazirabad and Okhla with a potential of 383 MLD water. The Delhi Jal Board is already extracting some water from one or two of the locations. However, most of the potential is untapped. It was decided in the meeting that the extraction should be done for the full potential of 85 MGDs.
Meanwhile, WAPCOS, a consultant of the Delhi Jal Board, has identified fresh water pockets in Dwarka area. These fresh pockets would now be developed to augment water supply in the area. It is expected to create an additional 22.5 MLD water. The CM directed that the new source should be developed fast so that the water could be supplied by March-end, before summer starts, to the residents of the area.
Kejriwal, last week, had given approval to the pilot project for treatment of water with ammonia during his visit to East Delhi. This has paved the way for restarting the non-functional seven Ranney wells and around 125 borewells in Delhi.
He discussed the restarting of these Ranney wells and borewells and said, "Now the problem of ammonia in water can be handled with the new technique. The ammonia treatment plants should be put up as soon as possible to restart these non-functional units. This should be completed by March-end so that there is no dearth of water in the summers." The CM also directed the officials to identify areas for additional bores in north and east Delhi where water table is high. He also asked the MLAs of these respective areas to help DJB in identifying locations for bores.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, UD Minister Satyendar Jain, DJB Vice Chairperson Dinesh Mohaniya, MLAs from east and north Delhi, Chief Secretary Delhi, CEO Delhi Jal Board and senior officials of the Delhi Jal Board.
