Delhi's Water Boost: New Plants & Future Plans

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is set to enhance the capital’s water supply infrastructure with the establishment of new Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) at Narela, Najafgarh, and Chhattarpur, as part of a broader strategy to address the city’s growing water demand. Officials also confirmed that construction is being fast-tracked at the under-construction WTPs in Chandrawal and Dwarka.

These initiatives are critical to closing the existing supply-demand gap of approximately 250 million gallons per day (MGD). Currently, DJB operates nine WTPs with a combined capacity of around 1,000 MGD, falling short of the city’s estimated demand of 1,250 MGD.

During a recent government review, DJB reported that suitable land parcels for the new WTPs have been identified and inspected. A senior official noted, “The DJB has verified that adequate land is available for the proposed sites.”

To secure long-term raw water sources, DJB is exploring the construction of new dams in Himachal Pradesh and is expected to push for a re-evaluation of the 1994 inter-state Yamuna water sharing agreement to better align with Delhi’s current and future needs.

In the interim, a project involving 452 tubewells is expected to contribute 26 MGD by September. An additional 50 MGD is anticipated from the second phase of the Dwarka WTP, targeted for completion by December, though the final water source for this plant is yet to be confirmed.

News by Rahull Yelligetti.