Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena criticised the Delhi government, claiming that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has spent a staggering Rs 28,000 crore in capital expenditure over the past seven years, an amount sufficient to replace every pipeline in the city.
“Despite this, Delhiites continue to suffer from severe water supply issues, including contaminated water and unequal distribution,” the LG said during his conversation with Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe in the inaugural episode of the 'Apni Dilli Apni Baat' podcast series.
Speaking on the podcast, Saxena highlighted the failures of the ruling AAP, in providing basic services to the citizens. "The people of Delhi are being forced to live amidst sewage water under the AAP government’s rule," the LG said, emphasizing the need for a responsible state government to ensure clean water, good infrastructure, and better living conditions for its people.
The Lieutenant Governor further lamented the condition of the national capital, describing it as the most polluted city in the world. "There are mountains of garbage, polluted water, and the Yamuna River, which should be a lifeline for the people, is so heavily polluted that one cannot even stand near it, let alone touch the water," he said. The failure to clean the Yamuna, he added, is a glaring example of the mismanagement by the current administration.
He also raised the issue of unequal distribution of water across the city. He pointed out that while affluent areas in Delhi receive as much as 560 liters of water per person per day, residents of slums and underprivileged areas are often forced to make do with just 20 liters.
"There are areas in Delhi where people go without water for 7-8 days, relying solely on water tankers," the LG stated. Even more alarming, according to the LG, is the state of Delhi’s water infrastructure, where drinking water pipes often run parallel to sewage lines. “Due to frequent leaks, sewage water is seeping into potable water, leaving residents with no option but to consume contaminated water,” he said.
Saxena also voiced his concern over the city’s drainage system, which has been neglected for over a decade.
"The drains in many areas have been blocked for years," he said, questioning how the DJB had managed to spend Rs 28,000 crore without fixing such fundamental issues.
On the topic of cleaning the Yamuna, Saxena recalled an incident where former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal admitted to being unaware of the 57 km long Najafgarh drain, a major contributor to the pollution in the Yamuna, despite being in power for nearly a decade. "This highlights the lack of seriousness in addressing the problem," the LG remarked.
