Lok Sabha Question No. 144 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Sewer Connection in Delhi
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.144 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2023

## Sewer Connection in Delhi

## 144. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that there are about 1700 unauthorised colonies and only 561 of them have a sewer connection which is affecting the drinking water supply in Delhi due to the mixing of sewage;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to improve the water harvesting infrastructure in order to raise the water table in Delhi; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) and (b) Matters relating to drinking water supply and sewerage in urban areas comes within the  purview  of  Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  (MoHUA).  As  per  the  information received by MoHUA from Delhi Jal Board (DJB), out of total 1799 unauthorized colonies in Delhi,  Sewer  network  has  been  extended  to  745  unauthorized  colonies  and  works  are  in progress  for  laying  sewer  network  in  573  colonies.  Work  of  laying  sewer  network  in  320 unauthorized colonies are being taken up in phased manner depending on availability of land for construction of Sewage Treatment Plants and Sewage Pumping Stations from land owing agencies. Further, in 161 unauthorized colonies which fall under O-zone/forest area/ASI area etc., NOC is awaited from the concerned authorities.

Further,  as  per  the  information  received  from  MoHUA,  under  Atal  Mission  for Rejuvenation  and  Urban  Transformation  (AMRUT),  which  focuses  on  development  of  basic urban infrastructure such as water supply and sewerage & septage management in 500 selected cities, two cities of Delhi (New Delhi Municipal Council & unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi) have been covered.  Under water supply sector, 9 projects have been grounded worth ₹262 crore including 7 completed projects worth ₹200 crore and overall physical works worth ₹247  crore  have  been  completed  with  ₹233  crore  worth  of  expenditure  incurred.  Under Sewerage  &  septage  sector,  7  projects  have  been  grounded  worth  ₹425  crore  including  one completed  project  worth  ₹53  crore  and  overall  physical  works  worth  ₹256  crore  have  been completed  with  ₹199  crore  worth  of  expenditure  incurred.  Through  these  projects  and  in convergence with other programmes, 7.54 lakh household water tap connections and 6.52 lakh sewer connections have been provided so far.

Taking it forward, AMRUT 2.0 covers all the statutory towns of the country to ensure universal coverage  of  water  supply  &  universal  coverage  of  sewerage  &  septage  management  in  500 AMRUT cities including that of  Delhi. So far,  2  water  supply  projects  costing  ₹1,067  crore (capex)  and  13  sewerage projects  costing  ₹390  crore  have  been  approved  under  State  Water Action Plans by MoHUA. Through these projects, 1.20 lakh water tap connections and 58,924 sewer connections are planned to be provided.

(c) & (d) AMRUT 2.0 aims to make all statutory towns & cities 'water secure' including that of Delhi. It envisages urban aquifer management, rejuvenation of water bodies, promote recycle & reuse and rainwater harvesting to augment freshwater resources. The Aquifer Management Plan will  also  be  prepared  to  focus  on  maintaining  positive  groundwater  balance  in  urban  aquifer systems.

Further, as per the information received from DJB, they have also taken various for improvement of rain water harvesting in Delhi, such as:

- Roof top Rain Water Harvesting has been made mandatory for plots size of 100 square meters (sqm) and above in Building Bye Laws for Delhi. To promote its implementation DJB has made provisions in its tariff regulations for rebate and penalty in water bills for implementing and non-implementing of the Rain Water Harvesting Systems.  However, it is  essential  that  Urban  Local  Bodies  should  ensure  implementation  of  Rain  Water Harvesting Systems in building premises.
- DJB  provides  rebate  of  10%  in  the  monthly  water  bills  to  its  consumers  who  adopt implementation  of  Rain  Water  Harvesting  and  additional  5%  rebate  where  effluent treatment plants are installed and are functional.
- Non-provision of adequate and functional rain water harvesting by the consumers of DJB having plot area of 500 sqm and above invite penalties in monthly water bills which are increased by 1.5 times.
- Financial assistance of Rs. 25,000/- or 50% of the cost of Rain Water Harvesting system, whichever is less, is  provided  for  the  properties  having  plot  area  of  100  sqm  and  above upto 499.99 sqm. For the properties having plot area of 500 sqm. and above, the financial assistance is Rs. 50,000/- or 50% of the cost of Rain Water Harvesting system, whichever is less.
- To sensitize the citizens of Delhi, continuous process of disseminating information on Rain Water  Harvesting  is  done  through  various  platforms  like  print  and  electronic  media, visuals, workshops, etc.
- There is dedicated Rain Water Harvesting cell in DJB which provides technical assistance to facilitate the public in implementation of Rain Water Harvesting system.
- DJB  has  empaneled  services  providers/consultants  various  agencies/contractors  in  Delhi for  promotion, construction and implementation of Rain Water Harvesting system as per the guidelines of DJB.
- DJB  has  created  Rain  Centre/Jal  Shakti  Kendras  in  each  Revenue  District  which  are manned  by  DJB  officials  for  guidance  and  information  to  the  visitors  of  nearby  areas regarding implementation of Rain Water Harvesting system.
- DJB is also developing the artificial lakes to store the treated effluent in order to raise the water table in Delhi.