NDMC prepares summer action plan to ensure uninterrupted water supply
New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has prepared a comprehensive Summer Action Plan 2026 to ensure adequate and uninterrupted potable water supply during the upcoming hot season.
Sharing details, NDMC Vice-Chairman Kuljeet Singh Chahal said the civic body has identified water-stressed areas within its jurisdiction and arranged water supply through tankers wherever needed. To strengthen emergency response, the council is procuring 12 mounted water tankers to address shortages during peak summer.
Chahal noted NDMC receives the majority of its potable water from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) through tapping points connected to major water treatment plants, including Chandrawal, Wazirabad, Haiderpur, and Sonia Vihar. Total water availability in the NDMC area is about 127 million litres per day (MLD), including roughly 125 MLD supplied by DJB and approximately 2.08 MLD drawn from tube wells across NDMC jurisdiction.
To ensure efficient distribution, NDMC operates 24 underground reservoirs with boosting stations supplying water to different localities. Water is generally provided twice daily, during morning and evening hours. A new NDMC water control room with a storage capacity of 10 lakh litres is being developed at RK Ashram, expected to be completed within seven to nine months, which will strengthen water management and emergency response.
Currently, NDMC operates 37 water ATMs, of which 17 are paid while the rest provide free drinking water. The council plans to install around 50 additional free water ATMs in JJ clusters to improve access. Chahal also suggested installing ATMs outside NDMC and Navyug Schools to facilitate students, parents, and visitors.
To further enhance emergency infrastructure, NDMC has installed water pumps in five trolleys, each with a capacity of 5,000 litres, which can be deployed during shortages. Permission has also been granted for four borewells in GPRA Colony, Sarojini Nagar, with two already operational. Additionally, a pilot 24×7 water supply project at Vinay Marg aims to ensure continuous supply and reduce distribution losses.
To reduce dependence on groundwater, NDMC promotes the use of treated water. Ten decentralised sewage treatment plants, with a combined capacity of 2,750 KLD, are operational for horticulture and irrigation. Plans are underway to construct 95 rainwater harvesting pits in consultation with the Central Ground Water Board to improve groundwater recharge.
Chahal emphasised strict monitoring of water quality through regular sample collection from reservoirs, pipelines, and households. In case of contamination, supply is immediately halted and water is supplied via tankers until resolved. Residents can register complaints through a 24×7 control room at Kali Bari Marg, helpline numbers, WhatsApp, the NDMC 311 mobile application, or field staff.
