Delhi govt to construct water lines in unauthorised colonies

NEW DELHI: Since taking over the Water department, development of unauthorised colonies in Delhi has been a thrust area for Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

To this end, sources in Delhi government said that Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has started working on connecting the water lines to unauthorised colonies.

The government has found that many such colonies do not have proper water connections.

In some colonies, water is supplied at fixed times, while some others are dependent on tap water.

These problems have become so common that no complaints have been registered by the people. Kejriwal plans to change the picture and all houses in these colonies with water lines.

Sources admitted that while availability of water in these colonies has improved in the last two years, a lot more work is needed to be done.

There are 895 unauthorised colonies in Delhi, most of which face problems of water shortage and sewerage connectivity. The Delhi government has chosen to first work on the sewerage system.

In order to manage sewerage in disconnected areas in unauthorised colonies, the government has identified 600 spots to install decentralised sewage treatment plants (STP).

Sources said that by installing these STPs the sanitation problem in these places would come under control. Subsequently, work on water lines would become easier for them.

The government also found that due to lack of proper plans in these colonies, water lines was not constructed properly.

To work on this, departments of the Delhi government would formulate new plans, as the existing plans cannot reach every house.

Sources further said that the Chief Minister's target is to improve water supply in the city and to deal with it properly.

Work on the STPs will start this month, while the work on water connection is likely to start next year.

The government would start the water connection plans only after studying the progress of the STPs.

The Chief Minister also plans to connect and build new roads in these colonies.

Earlier, the Delhi government had approved a proposal to allow the Irrigation and Flood Control department to carry out development works in unauthorised colonies, in addition to the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation.

The department would construct roads and drains in these colonies, for which additional funds would be allocated, the government had said in a statement.