'Piped water supply in entire city by end of 2017'

The AAP government has set a target of ensuring piped water supply in entire Delhi by the end of 2017 in its Budget presented on Thursday in the Assembly.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia presenting the budget said the government has resolved to provide piped water supply in all the authorised, unauthorised colonies and JJ clusters by the end of 2017. He said Rs 2,107.9 crore has been allocated for water supply and cleanliness in the fiscal 2017-18. As per Economic Survey of Delhi (2016-17), 81 per cent of the households have access to piped water supply.

As per 2011 census, there are 33.41 lakh households in Delhi of which 27.16 lakh households are getting supply of water through pipelines.

The budget highlighted the government's focus areas of providing improved water supply and quality besides reaching to new areas through water pipeline. Sisodia said last year was historical in developing infrastructure for water supply as 309 unauthorised colonies were provided water pipelines since the government came to power in Delhi.

So far 1,200 unauthorised colonies have access to piped water supply. Further 200 will be brought under piped water supply system, the budget statement said. The government has also proposed to take a big step towards water quality and continue with modernisation of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) workshops.