The Hindu : New Delhi News : Jal Board gearing up for Commonwealth Games

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Friday, Oct 26, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Jal Board gearing up for Commonwealth Games

Staff Reporter

Refurbishing and augmenting of existing infrastructure

“We’ll sign a deal for 140 million gallons a day with Uttar Pradesh”
In the coming months the city’s water situation “will only improve”

NEW DELHI: As the Capital’s date with the 2010 Commonwealth Games slowly approaches, the Delhi Jal Board claims that work on refurbishing and augmenting the existing infrastructure is right on track.

Allaying fears that the water utility will not be able to complete major works planned before the commencement of the Games, Delhi Jal Board Chief Executive Officer Arun Mathur says the possibility of missing the deadlines is remote.

New reservoirs and treatment plants

“From new underground reservoirs to new water treatment plants and from refurbished sewerage system to obtaining more water from the neighbours, work is moving at its optimum speed,” he asserts, explaining how the utility is gearing up to face the additional requirement for water.

Affirming that in the coming months the city’s water situation “will only improve”, Mr. Mathur adds: “The Delhi Development Authority has finally given us land for the Dwarka water treatment plant that will solve the water problem in that and surrounding areas.” The water utility is also finalising agreements for securing water for the Nangloi plant and the Okhla and Bawana plants.

“We will sign a deal for 140 MGD (Million Gallons a Day) of raw water supply for the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant with Uttar Pradesh and have already inked another deal that during closure of the Ganga canal, Haryana will provide us water from the share meant for UP to meet the shortfall,” the CEO says.

Review of arrangements

The Board has also reviewed arrangements for water supply to the stadiums where the Games will be held. “Barring the Tughlakabad firing range, all other stadiums have proper arrangements for water. We have written to the Sports Authority of India and owners of these stadiums; there are no major works that need to be carried out.”

“For the Games Village itself, we have separate water and sewerage treatment plants and arrangements for 24-hour supply. The arrangements that we are making are not just for the Games but for the general satisfaction of the people of the city.

“We are going to add to the city’s water supply once the water recycling plants are set up by June 2008 and the Munak channel is completed,” he adds.

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