Delhi Chief Minister Inaugurates Major Water and Sewer Infrastructure Projects
In a significant move to strengthen the capital's civic infrastructure, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday inaugurated several projects valued at over Rs 2,100 crore at Ramlila Maidan and Todapur in west Delhi. These initiatives, undertaken by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), are designed to enhance sewage treatment capabilities, modernize water supply systems, and provide long-term solutions to persistent civic issues that have plagued the city for decades.
Expansion of Sewage Treatment Plants
The projects include major expansions of key sewage treatment plants (STPs). The Nilothi-1 STP has been upgraded from a capacity of 40 million gallons per day (MGD) to 60 MGD, with an investment of Rs 373.2 crore. Similarly, the Pappankalan Phase-I STP saw its capacity increase from 20 MGD to 30 MGD, costing Rs 225.3 crore. These enhancements are expected to significantly boost the overall sewage treatment capacity in Delhi, thereby helping to curb the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Yamuna River.
Pipeline Replacements and Water Supply Improvements
Additionally, old pipelines at Haiderpur in north-west Delhi were replaced at a cost of Rs 50.72 crore, while similar replacements in Pitampura and adjoining areas were completed with an investment of Rs 19.44 crore, as confirmed by the Chief Minister's Office. Foundation stones were also laid for major water supply improvement projects at the Chandrawal water treatment plant (WTP). These projects, costing Rs 1,258.4 crore and divided into two packages, aim to modernize infrastructure and improve supply reliability across several areas of the city.
Household Sewer Connections and Further STP Enhancements
Multiple household sewer connection projects were launched in Begumpur, Wazirabad, Ranhola, and Sant Nagar, with a collective cost exceeding Rs 158 crore. These connections will be linked to STPs in Rohini, Coronation Pillar, and Nilothi. Furthermore, the Molarband STP will undergo a capacity enhancement of 0.67 MGD at a cost of Rs 14.7 crore, contributing to the overall improvement in sewage management.
Government Commitment and Future Vision
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized her administration's dedication to project completion, stating, "Our government does not merely make announcements. We ensure timely completion of projects. A robust water and sewer system is essential for building a Viksit Delhi." She directed officials to adhere strictly to timelines and maintain high-quality standards throughout the implementation process.
Water Minister Pravesh Verma highlighted that these projects mark the beginning of a new development phase for Delhi. He remarked, "This is not just about infrastructure creation but about laying a strong foundation for a Viksit Delhi aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat. We are committed to making water and sewer services modern, efficient, and future-ready."
Amnesty Scheme and Broader Impacts
Officials noted that the projects will collectively improve service delivery, expand treatment capacity, and contribute to cleaning the Yamuna River. Speaking about DJB's amnesty scheme, Chief Minister Gupta announced that commercial consumers are now being included, and the scheme will be extended until August. To date, more than 3.52 lakh consumers have benefited from this initiative, which has waived penalties, interest, and surcharges, providing relief of approximately Rs 1,400 crore, while the DJB has received revenue amounting to Rs 484 crore.
