The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi Jal Board to strengthen tanker distribution system in the Capital

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Tuesday, Apr 28, 2009
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Delhi Jal Board to strengthen tanker distribution system in the Capital

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

To appoint assistant engineers at 10 crucial water emergencies

Punitive action, including fines, taken against erring tanker operators
Tankers to be sent to community centres like schools and religious places

NEW DELHI: In several parts of the Capital where bright blue tankers supplied by the Delhi Jal Board and private contractors are the only source of water, complaints of mismanagement and poor service and serious allegations of a “nexus” among private contractors, local politicians and Jal Board officials are on the rise.

Acting on these complaints from consumers, the Board has decided to intensify vigil on the tankers and strengthen the delivery system. The Board has decided to appoint assistant engineers at 10 crucial water emergencies to ensure a smooth running of the water tanker supply system.

“We have about 25 water emergencies of which 10 are critical. We receive the highest number of complaints from these emergencies and therefore to straighten out things we have decided to post 10 assistant engineers at these places to oversee the work and to ensure there is greater accountability,” said Delhi Jal Board Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Negi.

The 10 critical emergencies are mainly restricted to the South Delhi, West Delhi and the South-West Delhi.

“There are areas like Greater Kailash, Vasant Vihar, Giri Nagar, Mehrauli, Najafgarh and Paschim Vihar where water is either in short supply or there is no piped supply and we have to make up for the deficit by supplying water through tankers,” said Mr. Negi.

Listing the measures taken by the Board to improve the service of the tankers, he said: “We have already intensified vigilance. These tankers are under observation and complaints are seriously dealt with. In the past one month alone we have taken action against 30 complaints.”

Citing examples of the punitive action against the erring tanker operators, the CEO said fines up to Rs.10,000 were levied for malfunctioning milo-meters. “There were instances where milo-meters had been tampered. So instead of showing two trips, as was the case, the tankers showed three trips. Flying squads have been increased in number and senior officials including superintending engineers have been made responsible for the distribution and supply of tanker water.”

Tanker operators too have been included in the overhaul exercise. “We organised a sensitising workshop for them with the Confederation of Indian Industry where training programmes covered 400 people including beldars and engineers. Detailed circulars have been issued on proper management of the service and to ensure there are no gaps in the system,” he said.

Replying to allegations that Jal Board officials are “in connivance with the tanker mafia”, Mr. Negi said: “I will be glad to take action against the erring officials if I am given sufficient proof. Whatever needs to be done from our side will be done.”

“We have more than 1,100 tankers supplying water to various parts of the city, and some nexus somewhere between local politicians or officials cannot be ruled out, but if there is proof, we will take action,” he asserted.

The CEO said the Board had also decided to send tankers to community centres like schools and religious places to disburse water so that more people have access to water. “We are no longer sending tankers to individual houses, because then people squabble over sharing water.”

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