DJB tightens noose, to check faulty meters

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will soon embark on a household survey to catch hold of all its missing consumers and start a scheme to get them legal water connections.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will soon embark on a household survey to catch hold of all its missing consumers and start a scheme to get them legal water connections.

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Over the years, though Delhi's population grew manifold, the number of connections and (hence) revenues did not keep pace with it.

"DJB's ability to expand the network and create treatment capacities has been hindered due to this, and its dependence on government has increased," said a senior DJB official.

Of the estimated 19 lakh water connections, more than 12 lakh connections either have faulty meters or none at all.

"Nearly three lakh meters have been installed. We now want to add another four lakh," the official said.

Meanwhile, the existing DJB customers have something to cheer about. The DJB is in the final stages of implementing the GIS-based Revenue Management System (RMS) from the coming bill cycles.

That means, three months down the line, its customers will get RMS-generated bills, which will enable ECS or online payments.

"After teething troubles, may be from the second or third cycle, we will have a smooth billing cycle," DJB sources said.