After privatisation of power distribution, the Delhi Government on Monday initiated the much-waited reforms in the water sector by opening doors for private entities in management, maintenance and distribution of water in several areas of the city.
A board meeting of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), chaired by Chief Minister, Ms Sheila Dikshit, approved a long-pending proposal to involve private sector in command areas of Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi under ground reservoirs and water treatment plants.
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 member of the DJB board said.
Asked about decisions taken at the meeting, Ms Dikshit said “several important projects and schemes were approved” to ensure improvement in water management and distribution.
Officials said the reform had been initiated in consultation with the Planning Commission which had identified water sector reform as a priority area for the city.
They said 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 public-private partnership mode and they will be paid a “fee” for their services.
Ms Dikshit had been indicating reforms in water sector on the lines of reform in the power sector.