The Hindu : New Delhi News : Jal Board asked to take steps to solve water crisis

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 06, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Jal Board asked to take steps to solve water crisis

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 5. With the Capital experiencing one of its worst water crises in recent years this summer, the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) has asked the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to immediately initiate steps which could go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of the citizens.

Based on a study by various experts which is likely to be incorporated into the Regional Plan - 2021, the NCRPB has in a letter pulled up the DJB for massive loss of water during transmission and distribution. Referring to satellite imageries giving areas of water recharge, the NCRPB has strongly objected to large-scale construction work going on in the Yamuna riverbed which includes the upcoming Common Wealth Games Village and the Akshardham Temple. These are areas which could become a major potential source of ground water for Delhi, it said.

Citing the various studies showing fast depletion of ground water due to over-exploitation and also increasing contamination of the underground water because of negligence on the part of civic authorities, the NCRPB rues that historical water bodies and ponds are being neglected and encroached upon. As per the draft Regional Plan-2021, as much as 200 MLD can be procured from sub-surface water available on the Yamuna flood plain, while another 370 MLD is possible from other areas of the Capital.

Expressing its anguish over the slow progress of various augmentation projects of the DJB, the NCRPB felt there was a need to construct an upstream reservoir in the foothills of the Himalayas so as to store excess monsoon water for drinking purposes for Delhi as a long-term measure. For this, the help of the neighbouring States could be taken, it said.

Referring to at least four such projects, which could not take off due to various reasons, the letter favoured inter-basin transfer of water and construction of a Tehri-type multi-purpose project in the upstream Himalayan foothills.

Referring to the Draft Regional Plan, the letter suggested two parallel water supply lines in all areas of the Capital: one for drinking and other for non-drinking purposes that could have recycled water. It said that all waste requirement for non-drinking purposes in hotels, industrial units, air-conditioning plants, irrigation and other non-potable demands should be met through treated recycled wastewater.

Projecting a water demand of 5,700 MLD for an estimated 2.25 crore population in the year 2021, the NCRPB said the Capital would be facing an acute shortage of 1,900 MLD then. It suggested starting recycling of water at the earliest and making investments and carrying out research activities. "The way things are going on, large-scale use of recycled water seems to be the only way out," said one of its officials. The NCRPB's calculation is based on a requirement of 225 litres of water per day per person (lpd) against the Delhi Master Plan-2001 norm of 363 lpd. Besides, 635 MLD from Tehri Dam, the traditional sources would account for 2,135 MLD.

Giving a brief idea of the amount of investment required, he said: "Till 2021, the Capital would require an investment of Rs. 6,263 crores, which includes Rs. 3,416 crores for enhancing the distribution network and Rs. 2,847 for its treatment.''

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