New Delhi: Delhi govt on Friday announced a major overhaul of water and sewer infrastructure charges (IFC), shifting from the current area-based calculation system to a water demand-based model and offering concessions of up to 70% for several categories of colonies.Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the revised policy was aimed at reducing the financial burden on residents, simplifying procedures and making the system more transparent. Under the new framework, IFC will be calculated on the basis of actual water demand instead of the total built-up area of a property.Govt announced a 50% rebate in water and sewer IFC for properties located in E and F category colonies and a 70% rebate for G and H colonies. Residential dwelling units up to 50 square metres built on plots larger than 200 sqm will receive an additional 50% concession.Municipal Corporation of Delhi divides the city’s residential colonies into eight categories — A being the most premium and H being the most basic.Officials said plot size eligibility would be determined through property documents such as sale deeds, conveyance deeds and registered GPA documents. In unauthorised colonies, architect-signed plans will be accepted for assessment.Govt has also decided that IFC will apply only to properties or units built on plots exceeding 200 square metres. Plots below this threshold will remain exempt, said water minister Parvesh Verma.Additional concessions were announced for charitable and religious institutions. Organisations registered under Section 12AB of Income Tax Act and places of worship will receive an additional 50% rebate.Verma said IFC would be levied only on new or additional constructions. “Redevelopment projects where water demand remains unchanged will not attract any additional charges,” he added.To encourage sustainable infrastructure, commercial and institutional properties with zero liquid discharge systems and operational sewage treatment plants complying with CPCB and DPCC norms will get a 50% rebate on sewer IFC. However, the concession will be withdrawn if inspections find the systems non-functional, with a daily penalty of 0.05% on the concession amount.Govt’s comparative figures reveal that for a residential property above 200 sqm with 300 FAR and four floors in A and B category colonies, IFC has been reduced from Rs 13.2 lakh to Rs 5.4 lakh. In E and F colonies, the amount comes down to Rs 2.7 lakh after rebate, while in G and H colonies, it reduces to Rs 1.6 lakh.Similarly, for an industrial property on a 1,000 sqm plot with 150 FAR and four floors, IFC has been cut from Rs 57.7 lakh to Rs 8.9 lakh in A and B colonies. After concessions, the charge falls to Rs 4.5 lakh in E and F colonies, and Rs 2.7 lakh in G and H colonies.Verma said the previous system had become “an instrument of harassment”, with residents often facing demands of Rs 15-20 lakh due to complex area-based calculations. “The new policy will make the system transparent and citizen-friendly,” he claimed.
