24-hr water supply pilot project kicks off in Navjeevan Vihar
NEW DELHI: In a major development, a South Delhi neighbourhood on Sunday began getting round-the-clock potable water directly through taps.
The pilot project was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Water Minister Kapil Mishra.
The project has debuted in Navjeevan Vihar, a part of the larger and thickly populated Malviya Nagar area.
During the inauguration, Mishra said: “The issue of not getting potable tap water had divided Indian cities from the rest of the developed world. It might be a small step but this initiative will bridge the gap between Delhi and other major cities of the world.”
He also stated that this development is an indicator that Delhi is on its way of being tagged as a world class city. “This scheme will soon be implemented all over Delhi,” he added.
During the event, Mishra stated that Delhi has been divided into 1,010 units.
“Each unit will be isolated and fixed in order to provide every household with 24 hours of drinking water,” said Mishra.
The minister also pointed out how Indians, after returning from cities like London or Singapore, never fail to mention that they received drinking water straight through the taps in those cities unlike in India.
“It was Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's dream that Delhi should also embrace this idea”, he added.
Sisodia said: “Maintaining the project will be a challenge unless it is spread across the city. Delhi Jal Board supplies drinking water to most of the residential and commercial areas through taps but for only specific hours.
“In other parts of the city where there is no water network, water tanks are set up for supplying water,” Sisodia added.
Mishra also stated that the Delhi government is determined to bring the slum areas, unauthorised colonies, middle and posh areas under the water supply network.