Water supply in two areas of the Capital to be outsourced (The Hindu 06 April 2011)

In about two months from now two populated pockets of the city can look forward to a more streamlined distribution of water in their areas. The Delhi Jal Board that supplies water to these areas and the rest of the city is gearing up for engaging an outside agency to manage and distribute water supply in Malviya Nagar and Vasant Vihar.

To be initiated on a pilot basis, the DJB says the project will focus on reforms in the administrative and distribution mechanism. “The project's main aim will be to reduce losses, both commercial as well as technical. As for 24x7 supply in both the areas…that is a cherished objective,” said a senior official of the DJB.

The pilot project will be based on the models that are currently followed in Nagpur, Hubli and Dharwad. “The success of the project in these cities is the reason why we are replicating it here. There are some plans that a consultant has drawn up for us and now we will invitebids from companies that are willing to take on the task,” said the official.

The project will be monitored for few years, before it is extended to the rest of the city. “We will get to know the trends in about two years and that should indicate the success or the failure of the projects. So far the model has been successful so we are hopeful that in Delhi too the model will help bring down the losses and improve the supply.”

The company will also be required to draw up the bills, but the Jal Board will retain the revenue collection for now.

Detail on revenue sharing and other issues will also be firmed up after the bidding process is over.

“The idea is to improve the availability of water and efficiency of services in these areas and make the best possible use of the resources at hand,” the official said.

The DJB has been criticised for losses in distribution and owing to technical reasons that eventually lead to poor supply and insufficient revenue collection. Recently, after an inspection of the Yamuna and while arbitrating Delhi's outstanding issues over water sharing with Haryana, Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh also asked the Jal Board to plug its leaks.

The Minister had asked the Jal Board to ensure that the wastage of water on account of technical losses and theft are reduced. Currently the losses on account of technical reasons are 30 per cent and theft and free distribution of water adds up to another 20 per cent.