In what may come as a big relief to lakhs of residents of unauthorised colonies, the Delhi Government is planning to waive sewer development charges in colonies falling under category E, F, G and H. The issue was discussed at the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday.
Taking note of the representatives' demand, Dikshit directed DJB to call a special meeting next week to discuss it. At present, DJB charges Rs 500 per sq m as sewer development charges for providing connections to consumers. Congress MlA Balram Tanwar told The Pioneer that the Chief Minister assured them and called a separate meeting next week.
The unauthorised colonies such as Palam Vihar, Aali, Abul Fazal Enclave, Acharya Enclave, Abhay Garden, Adarsh Nagar, Adarsh Nagar Extension, Adchini urban village, Agar Nagar, Ahinsha Enclave, Ajay Enclave, Ajeet Nagar, Ashok Nagar Tihar, Sunlight colony, Sushant Vihar Ibrahimpur, Suraj Nagar, Kailash Nagar and Kailash Vihar are likely to benefit.
RJD MlA Asif Mdd Khan demanded the Government take a decision before the Assembly elections this year. During the meeting, DJB officials said sewerage line has been laid in 100 unauthorised colonies and is in progress in 150 other colonies. The board also assured that work will begin in another 60 colonies, so the department can achieve its target of laying lines in 350 unauthorised colonies by 2014-2015.
To improve environment and social conditions in unsewered areas of Sai Baba Enclave, laxmi Garden, Najafgarh Extension (under Najafgarh Constituency) the board has approved laying of sewer lines in these areas at a an approximate cost of Rs 16.84 crore. The board has also approved the proposal for laying sewer lines in Mehrauli, lado Sarai, Chhattarpur, Vijay Enclave, Mahavir Enclave, Bengali Market in Palam colony.
The Jal board has taken up the replacement of old transmission mains emanating from Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant at an estimated cost of Rs 214 crore. The old 900 mm PSC Duplicate Main will also be replaced at a length of 14.5 km resulting in complete rehabilitation of the transmission main starting from Wazirabad WTP to Moolchand Flyover. The 800 mm Okhla Main will also be replaced at about 3.5 km from the Barapulla Nallah upto the Okhla Water Treatment Plant at a total estimated cost Rs 107.09 crore. After commissioning, the proposed new water lines will run at their peak capacity without loss of pressure.
