New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Delhi’s long-awaited Wazirabad Water Supply Improvement Project took a step forward, with the screening committee of the Central government’s Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) granting in-principle approval to the Rs 2,574 crore Asian Development Bank-assisted project, an official said on Monday.
Delhi Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the project in north Delhi, conceptualised in 2013, remained stuck at the planning stage for several years before being revived.
With the latest approval by the Central government, it is now moving towards implementation with a focus on modernising the water network, improving efficiency and ensuring a more reliable supply for residents, he said.
The project would cover the complete water supply chain – from the treatment plant and transmission network to distribution lines and household connections, he said.
“For the people of Delhi, water is a daily necessity. Our responsibility is to make sure that the infrastructure behind every tap is strong, modern and reliable. The Wazirabad project is a major step in that direction. We are not planning only for today; we are building a water system that can serve Delhi for decades,” he said.
Under the project, old, damaged and undersized pipelines will be replaced, while new transmission and distribution lines will be laid wherever required. Existing networks will be interconnected to improve pressure, distribution and reliability, he said.
The Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, underground reservoirs, pumping infrastructure and distribution network will also be upgraded, he said.
House service connections will be improved and regularised, while areas without formal water connections will be brought into the planned network as infrastructure is expanded, wherever technically feasible.
A major focus will be reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) caused by leakages, physical losses and unauthorised consumption, said Parvesh Sahib Singh.
“The objective is simple- more of the water we produce should reach the people it is meant for. We are strengthening the network from the treatment plant to the household so that Delhi gets a system that is efficient, accountable and dependable,” he said.
A major technology component will be eight interconnected Command Centres covering Delhi’s water supply system, he said.
The network will include Wazirabad and Chandrawal, along with Command Centres for the West, South-West, East, North-East, North-West and South Zones.
“The eight Command Centres will make Delhi’s water network one connected system. Information from different parts of the city will be available together, helping us take quicker decisions and coordinate better. Technology must ultimately translate into better service for citizens,” the Minister said.
–IANS
rch/dan