Rekha reviews Yamuna cleaning action plan, issues key directives
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive review of the functioning of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Yamuna cleaning action plan at the utility’s headquarters, issuing several key directives aimed at strengthening water management, upgrading sewerage network and ensuring equitable water supply across the city.
Chairing a meeting in the presence of Cabinet Minister Parvesh Verma, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for urgent reforms to address Delhi’s chronic water supply issues and pollution of the Yamuna. She also inspected the Command and Control Centre, which monitors the city’s tanker operations through GPS and reviewed the SCADA system responsible for overseeing water supply in real-time.
“Every citizen must receive timely and adequate water, especially in peak summer months. No complaint related to tanker water should go unresolved. We are committed to ensuring water reaches every household that needs it,” said Gupta, adding that real-time tracking of water tankers would help curb mismanagement and delay.
Stressing the urgency of modernising Delhi’s aging water infrastructure, the Chief Minister said old water pipelines and sewer lines would be replaced in a phased manner. She directed officials to identify priority areas where upgrades are needed and ensure work is executed using modern technologies.
“Our population is growing fast and outdated systems cannot support the increasing demand. We need a 21st-century water management model,” she said.
A key highlight of the meeting was the government’s renewed push toward cleaning the Yamuna. CM Gupta announced that 27 decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) will be constructed as part of a Rs 3,140-crore project to treat wastewater locally and prevent untreated sewage from entering the river. The project includes terminal sewage pumping stations and a 10 MGD STP at Delhi Gate, all of which are to be completed within 18 months of tendering.
To ensure transparency, the Chief Minister has mandated third-party audits of all sewage treatment plants. “There will be no compromise on quality. Transparency and accountability in DJB’s operations are non-negotiable,” she asserted.
Addressing the long-standing issue of sanitation in unauthorised colonies, the CM announced that sewer lines had already been laid in 1,226 such colonies, with work underway in another 154. The Delhi Government has set a target to complete sewer connectivity in all unauthorised colonies by 2028. “This is not just about infrastructure. It’s about health, sanitation and dignity,” she said.
Gupta also reiterated her government’s commitment to the Central Government’s ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal mission’, vowing to ensure equal water supply across all parts of Delhi. “Gone are the days when some areas received excess water while others suffered shortages. The water distribution process will now be fair and transparent,” she said.
She called for transformation of the Delhi Jal Board into a more accountable and tech-driven agency, and instructed it to expand the city’s pipeline network and accelerate water conservation efforts to safeguard future needs.
“Delhi will lead the way in sustainable water management. Our goal is not just to solve today’s challenges but to build a resilient system for generations to come,” Gupta concluded.
Delhi