Faced with increasing gap between demand and supply of water in the city, chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday sought help of the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to improve management of the scarce resource in the city.
Addressing a gathering of the RWAs, Ms Dikshit particularly asked them to play a pro-active role in helping the government to ensure that drinking water is not wasted in the city.
“Inform Delhi Jal Board wherever you notice wastage of drinking water,” the chief minister said asking the RWAs to submit their suggestions and problems so that government could take appropriate corrective measures in improving the water management system.
Addressing the gathering, CEO of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Ramesh Negi said the agency was determined to ensure installation of water metres at the premises of each and every consumers across the city. He said engineering major L&T has been given a contract to install 2.5 lakh meters in East and South Delhi.
Mr Negi said the RWAs will again be roped in for collection of bill from the consumers.
Requesting the RWAs to inform incidents of wastage of water, he said the DJB had collected `60 lakhs in 2010 as fine on complaints of wastage of drinking water.
Delhi ministers Haroon Yusuf, Ramakant Goswami, Kiran Walia, chief secretary P.K. Tripathi and around three dozen MLAs were present in the meeting.
General secretary of Delhi RWA joint front Pankaj Aggarwal called upon representatives to adopt constructive approach while submitting their suggestions.
Mr Negi said certain suggestions put forth by the RWAs will be implemented within 45 days.
Mr Negi said all readers will be provided identity cards and they will carry a card to mention the present and the past meter reading so that the consumer could be taken into confidence.
On water-logging, Mr Negi said there will be no shortage of machines and super suckers to tackle choaked sewer lines.
Stressing on frequent interaction with the RWAs, he said interactions with the RWAs will be organised after every two months.
Giving account of reform in water sector, he said Tata Consultancy Services has been roped in already to take care of the billing system.
“The DJB also implemented an amnesty scheme to settle pending bills and bills amounting `460 crore were settled and `200 crore rupees were granted as rebate to benefit 4 lakh persons,” he said.