DJB to provide sewerage in phases

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 19

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) today decided to provide sewerage facilities in the unathorised colonies in a phased manner under the newly finalized Sewerage Master Plan (SMP) 2031. 

At a meeting held by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the DJB announced that the projects being undertaken under the SMP would provide sewerage facilities to all those living in the unsewered areas. This will help cleaning environment as sewage has otherwise been flowing into the drains. A copy of the SMP 2031 has been uploaded on the DJB website (www.delhijalboard.nic.in) and suggestions have been invited from all the stakeholders. 

The Board suggested that while implementing the SMP, the possibility of setting up of decentralized wastewater treatment plants be looked at so that good quality recycled effluent may be utilized for non-potable purpose, thus reducing stress on available water resources. 

To meet the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Board was also apprised of the projects undertaken to reduce pollution in the Yamuna. 

The Board also informed that its work is limited to the treatment of domestic sewage and the objective would be achievable only when simultaneous action was initiated by other stakeholders such as DDA, PWD, MCD, DSIDC and the citizens themselves in respect of removal of encroachment from the riverbed and preventing the flow of untreated solid waste into the river.

Since the NGT prioritized certain projects to clean the sub-drains, funding and land constraints are the major issues which need to be addressed in order to enable the Board prepare a realistic action plan.