New Delhi: Stepping up arrangements to meet its potable water demand in the coming months, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has drawn up a summer action plan.Anticipating an increase in water consumption once all under-construction govt quarters are constructed and occupied, NDMC has written to Delhi Jal Board (DJB), revising its freshwater requirement.While the council has sanctioned new connections in several cases, it has also permitted the installation of borewells to bridge the gap.At the GPRA quarters (Type II–VI) in Sarojini Nagar, NDMC has estimated a requirement of 4,295 kilolitres per day (KLD). It has so far agreed to supply 1,500 KLD. To meet the demand until supply from DJB is enhanced and to cater to future need, the council has approved the operation of 12 borewells, said NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Chahal.Similarly, at the Common Central Secretariat on Rajendra Prasad Road, it estimates a requirement of 710 KLD of potable water and sanction has been given to supply 650 KLD. To meet the remaining requirement, permission has been given to install three borewells.Currently, NDMC receives most of its potable water from DJB through multiple tapping points connected to major water treatment plants, including Chandrawal, Wazirabad, Haiderpur and Sonia Vihar. The total water availability in NDMC areas is around 127 million litres per day (MLD), including about 125 MLD supplied by DJB and around 2 MLD from tube wells located across NDMC areas.Chahal said NDMC operates 24 underground reservoirs with boosting stations to ensure efficient distribution of water. The supply is generally provided in the morning and evening. Besides, water is also used from 10 borewells to meet the gap.“We revisited the operation of all these facilities according to the summer action plan. The department has also identified water-stressed areas and made arrangements to supply water through tankers from filling stations at Kali Bari Marg, Jor Bagh and Vinay Marg. In addition, water pumps were installed in five more water trolleys, each with a capacity of 5,000 litres, for quick supply during emergencies,” Chahal said. NDMC operates a 24×7 water supply control room at Kali Bari Marg to manage water distribution, address shortages and handle complaints. “We are making another control room at RK Ashram with a 10 lakh litres storage tank,” Chahal said.The council also plans to restart 80 to 90 borewells near Old Fort, Mathura Road and other parts of Lutyens’ Delhi after reports from Central Ground Water Board indicated a rise in groundwater levels in the area. “We have approached National Green Tribunal to obtain permissions for recommencing operations of these borewells,” Chahal said. Currently, 37 water ATMs are operational across the NDMC area. Around 50 additional water ATMs will be installed.
