Following the success of privatisation of power distribution in the city, the Delhi government on Monday initiated the privatisation of distribution of water.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit in a board meeting of Delhi Jal Board (DJB)
approved a long-pending proposal to involve private sector in command areas of Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi underground reservoirs and water treatment plants.
Earlier, the Planning Commission had told the Delhi government several times to initiate reforms in the water sector considering the city’s ever-increasing population.
“The board gave its approval to three pilot projects for improving efficiency in water distribution and improvement in revenue collection besides ensuring better management of infrastructure,” a DJB board member said.
Officials said the reform has been initiated in consultation with the Planning Commission, which had identified water sector reforms as a priority area for the city. “Several important projects and schemes were approved to ensure improvement in water management and distribution,” Ms Dikshit said after the board meeting.
DJB officials said that the private sector would be involved in water distribution, management and maintenance of the DJB’s infrastructure in Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi areas in PPP mode and they will be paid a “fee” for their services.