Several areas in Delhi are likely to experience water scarcity after two of the city’s major treatment plants – Wazirabad and Chandrawal – scaled down operations due to a decline in raw water supply, according to officials on Friday. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) stated that the water level at the Wazirabad pond has dropped to 668.70 feet, well below the standard level of 674.50 feet. This pond serves as a crucial source of raw water for three treatment plants: Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla.
“It is getting difficult to maintain the required raw water supply to Wazirabad and Chandrawal WTP and consequently curtailment in production of potable water. This situation affecting the production approximately by 25-30 per cent of potable water at both,” the DJB said in its statement, as per news agency PTI.
The average production capacity of the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant is 131 million gallons per day (MGD), while Chandrawal contributes around 94 MGD. A 25-30 per cent reduction at both plants is expected to significantly affect the overall water output in the national capital.
As per the latest Economic Survey data, Delhi’s total water requirement stands at 1,290 MGD, with demand surging further during the peak summer months. The DJB’s overall water production, including tubewell sources, currently ranges between 990 and 1,000 MGD. Due to the drop in pond levels at Wazirabad, officials estimate a shortfall of nearly 70-100 MGD in supply.
These Delhi Areas To Face Water Shortage
Multiple localities across the city are expected to bear the brunt of the curtailed supply. These include South Extension, Greater Kailash, Jahangirpuri, Moolchand, Majnu Ka Tila, Kashmere Gate ISBT, NDMC area, ITO, Defence Colony, CGO Complex, Rajghat, WHO, Ramleela Ground, Delhi Gate and adjacent regions.
The DJB has appealed to residents to conserve water during this period.
“Therefore, the public is advised to make judicious use of water. Water tankers shall be available on demand from the DJB helpline 1916,” the statement added.
In addition to the above-mentioned neighbourhoods, areas such as Civil Lines, Hindu Rao Hospital, Kamla Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Karol Bagh, Pahar Ganj, parts of the NDMC zone, Cantonment and surrounding regions are also likely to face disruptions in water supply.
As of now, the DJB has not indicated when the situation is expected to return to normal.
