Water ATMs remain elusive in JJ clusters

In the narrow lanes and crowded streets of Delhi’s JJ clusters, the promise of clean water continues to remain elusive. Despite assurance from the BJP to install water ATMs and ensure safe water supply during the elections, residents across Seemapuri, Wazirpur, Madanpur Khadar and Rohini are still left guessing about what these machines are. More importantly, they are still forced to survive on contaminated or scarce water sources.

During a visit to these colonies, it became evident that the manifesto promises have yet to translate into reality. The BJP, in its 2025 Delhi Assembly election manifesto under the section ‘Ensuring Basic Amenities in JJ clusters,’ had assured voters not only installation of water ATMs but also measures to address the problem of polluted water. Yet, for the residents, these pledges remain just words on paper.

Voicing the frustration, Uma Sharma, a resident of Rohini, Sector 24, said: “I’ve never even heard of a water ATM. Tap water is so bad that you wouldn’t consider bathing with it, let alone drinking it. Everyone here depends on buying bottled water. That’s the only way to survive”.

Echoing the sentiment, Asha, a single mother who works in nearby households, said: “What are water ATMs? Here, the only water we have is what we buy in bottles. Otherwise, water comes only once every two days after the tube well tanks are filled. It’s not enough for all residents, and we have no other options.”

In Wazirpur, where water flows slightly more regularly, residents still struggle with quality issues. Vandana Kaur explained, “Water pressure is only good in the morning hours during the winter and monsoon. But it’s often yellowish, smelly and unsafe. We sometimes boil it, but even then, it doesn’t feel right to drink.”

Long-time shopkeeper Ramodhar, who has lived in Wazirpur since the colony’s inception, was unaware of the water ATM initiative. “I didn’t even know these things existed. Politicians only visit us during elections, make promises and then disappear. After that, no one remembers us,” he lamented.

The situation in Seemapuri is similar, with residents seeing no sign of the promised infrastructure. Rekha, a resident, said: “I’ve lived under the Congress, AAP, and now BJP rule. Parties may change, but the water situation doesn’t. Under the Congress, things were slightly better, at least other basic services were somewhat manageable. Here, nothing has changed much.”

Madanpur Khadar, one of the largest JJ clusters, presents a particularly grim picture. Streets are littered with garbage, and residents appear resigned to the daily struggle for clean water.

Sohail Khan, who has lived in the area with his family for over 50 years, said: “Clean water? That’s a distant dream. Water itself is a dream. We had to dig our own tube well to get even a minimal supply. The government has given up on us, and we’ve stopped expecting anything. We have to fend for ourselves.”

Another resident, Anita Gupta, said, “The area has always been filthy, almost like a garbage dump. Party workers make a token effort to clean it only when officials are expected, but the rest of the time, we are left to manage on our own. In such conditions, even dreaming of clean water feels like an impossible hope.”

Despite announcements by Water Minister Parvesh Verma in June promising the installation of 5,000 water ATMs across the city, none have been installed in JJ clusters. The government’s assurances about improving access to safe drinking water are yet to reach the residents who need it the most.

The situation highlights a wider problem of neglect in Delhi’s informal settlements, where residents often rely on bottled water purchased at high costs due to the poor quality and irregularity of water supply. The lack of awareness about water ATMs underscores the failure in communication and implementation of policies intended to benefit vulnerable populations.

For the residents of Delhi’s JJ clusters, the dream of clean water is not only deferred, but also seems to be slipping further away as political promises clash with the harsh realities on the ground.

Efforts to obtain responses from the Water Minister’s office regarding delays in setting up water ATMs remained unanswered till the filing of this report.