Pilot project to improve water service falls flat, Malviya Nagar faces crisis

Malviya Nagar battles acute water shortage as DJB’s project to lay new pipelines remains incomplete after two years

Two years after the commencement of an ambitious supply improvement programme, Malviya Nagar reels under acute water shortage. Residents of blocks G and 90 complain of inadequate water supply, leakages and contaminated water supply.

Residents of blocks G and 90 complained of inadequate water supply, leakages and dirty water. (S Burmaula / HT Photo)

With an aim to improve water supply in the Capital, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) launched ‘Water Service Improvement Programme’ in 2012. Under the plan, a public private partnership (PPP) initiative, Malviya Nagar was chosen for the pilot project. The water utility had entered into a contract with Malviya Nagar Water Services Private limited (MNWS), a consortium of French company Suez and infrastructure company SPML Infra Ltd. The agency was to lay a new pipeline network in the areas that received water supply from Malviya Nagar underground reservoir (UGR).

The revamped network aimed to reduce contamination and water losses. New pipelines were laid in Chirag Delhi, Soami Nagar, Savitri Nagar and Khirki Extension. A few of blocks could not be covered, such as blocks G and 90 in Malviya Nagar.

Unlike block 90, residents of blocks G 9-G 12 are mainly concerned about scant water supply. A tube well, lying defunct for 15 days, has exaggerated the problem. “The civic agency is giving priority to unauthorised and Lal Dora colonies over Malviya Nagar for laying new supply lines. Areas like Khirki village and Khirki Extension have already been covered,” said NK Malik, a resident of G-11 block.

RS Tyagi, of DJB, put the blame on other agencies which delayed the clearance process. “Due to delay in clearances from concerned agencies the project was started about one and half years late. We have completed 36% of the work and targeting to finish it by December 2016.”

Aggrieved residents have also approached area MLA Somnath Bharti for concrete solution. “Till two years ago, Malviya Nagar used to get water supply through tubewells. But, I pursued the matter with the agency to make sure that Malviya Nagar gets water from Sonia Vihar Water Plant. The work is in progress and by next summer we will complete the project. We also need the support of residents in achieving the goal, ” said Bharti

An MNWS official said, “We have laid peripheral and main pipelines and the work of establishing distribution network is under process. Though priority is given to areas facing acute shortage, we will cover entire Malviya Nagar.”