Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra assures residents of sufficient potable water this summer.
Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra has assured residents that Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is preparing to provide adequate potable water to everyone this summer.
During an interaction with him on April 13, City Spidey raised questions about the issue of water scarcity, which has been a persistent woe for cooperative group housing societies in East Delhi.
Mishra said, “Between March to July every year, water consumption increases tenfold. Providing enough water for everyone does pose a challenge to DJB. However, in the past two years, DJB has improved both quality and quantity of water.”
Mayur Vihar Phase I and Mayur Vihar Phase I Extension are two of the worst affected areas, and the residents have been relentlessly pursuing the matter. In fact, United India Apartments and Glaxo Apartments, both in Mayur Vihar Phase I Extension, have even approached the Delhi High Court with the issue.
Mishra added, “Inflated water bills were a major concern for residents, but that worry has been dealt with. Now we have fewer complaints of inflated bills. Several new water lines have been laid and damaged ones repaired in the past two years. We are planning to set up a separate water line for the Mayur Vihar area. Officials are working on the project and by the end of this year, residents will have a line all to themselves.”
The minister also iterated that any household receiving contaminated water could immediately inform the zonal office of DJB and that officials would reach the spot within an hour.
After a group of residents from South Delhi complained about inflated water bills, Mishra, on April 13, wrote a letter to Keshav Chandra, DJB CEO, asking the department to take immediate action on any complaint about supply or billing. He said, “I am again receiving complaints from DJB consumers regarding inflated bills in the current billing cycle. The issue needs to be investigated. While the investigation is on, we must ensure that no consumer is harassed.”
