Delhi HC intervenes, Dwarka’s water woes to end soon

After facing 20 years of water woes, here is some good news for the residents of Dwarka. 

Following the orders of Delhi High Court, the city government has decided to divert raw water from about 126 borewells to the water treatment plants in Pappan Kalan area in Dwarka. 

Officials aim to produce more than 16 MGD of water for Dwarka sub-city. The Delhi Jal Board’s Pappan Kalan waste water treatment plant can produce 22 MGD of water.

‘The residents of Dwarka sub-city will soon be able to access adequate quantity of drinkable water as the DDA and DJB have initiated the process of providing more than 16 Million Gallons Day (MGD) water to the area,’ said a DJB officer. 

A few days back, a high level meeting was held under DJB Chief Executive Officer Vijay Kumar and DDA Chief engineer (Design) HSD Sattu in which the decision was taken to divert the water. The officials aim to produce more than 16 Million Gallons a Day (MGD) of water for Dwarka sub-city.

‘It is pertinent to mention that the Dwarka sub-city does not get water supply through pipelines (DJB) and the residents get water from tankers by the DDA. Dwarka needs at least 10 MGD water a day and in contrast, it gets only 3.5 MGD,’ said a DJB source.

‘The decision was taken in a meeting DJB, Delhi Development Authority and Delhi’s horticulture department. The 126 borewells in the area belongs to the horticulture department and the water was being used for irrigation and plantation,’ said a senior Delhi government official.

The DJB has been asked to provide gray water (water from sewage treatment plants) to the horticulture department.

‘The gray water will be provided to the horticulture department through water tankers. The department will not be charged for the tanker,’ the official added.

The DJB has 30 sewage treatment plants across the city but only nine are functional.

Few days back the Delhi High court has ordered the DJB, DDA and Delhi government to ensure water supply in Dwarka sub-city. The court’s order came following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the a registered society of residents of Dwarka area.

In the plea, the residents had said, ‘Dwarka needs 10 million gallon water a day and in contrast, it gets only 3.5 million gallon per day.’

The government officials claim that after completion of the plan, Dwarka will become a water surplus area as it will get more than 16 MGD of water.