New Delhi: After privatisation of power
distribution, Delhi government on Monday initiated the much-awaited
reforms in water sector by opening doors for private entities
in management, maintenance and distribution of water in
several areas of the city.
A board meeting of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), chaired by
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, approved a long-pending
proposal to involve private sector in command areas of Malviya
Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi underground reservoirs and
water treatment plants.
The Planning Commission had told Delhi government several
times to initiate reform in the water sector considering the
city's ever increasing population.
"The board gave its approval to three pilot projects for
improving efficiency in water distribution and improvement in
revenue collection besides ensuring better management of
infrastructure," a member of the DJB board said.
Asked about decisions taken at the meeting, Dikshit said
"several important projects and schemes were approved" to
ensure improvement in water management and distribution.
Officials said the reform has been initiated in
consultation with the Planning Commission which had identified
water sector reform as a priority area for the city.
They said the private sector would be involved in water
distribution, management and maintenance of the DJB's
infrastructure in Malviya Nagar, Vasant Vihar and Nangloi
areas in PPP mode and they will be paid a "fee" for their
services.
Dikshit had been indicating reforms in water sector on the
lines of reform in the power sector.
PTI
First Published: Monday, November 28, 2011, 19:19