With an aim to clean Yamuna River and improving water and sewer network, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday cleared some of the crucial projects including rejuvenation of 12 water bodies using (PTT) 'Phytorid Treatment Technology' and extension of scheme for regularisation of domestic and commercial unauthorised water connection.
The decision was taken in 147th meeting of the DJB under the chairmanship of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The move is considered important as ground water level of Delhi has alarmingly gone down due to over exploitation and rapid urbanisation of the city. In this situation, using rainwater to recharge the ground water through natural and artificial water bodies has become a need of the hour.
In a meeting, the board approved the project to rejuvenate 12 water bodies using PTT of capacity of 400 KLD (kilo litres /day) and 150 KLD. "DJB has taken up the work of rejuvenation of 155 water bodies following the direction of Delhi Government for which a block estimate of Rs 37,678.93 lakhs has approved in previous meeting," DJB said in a statement.
The board approved the extension of the scheme of regularisation of unauthorised water connection at a nominal amount of Rs 500 per connection for domestic consumer and Rs 1500 for commercial and industrial connections till March 31, 2020. By the implementation of the scheme the board will bring more and more consumers under its authorised water connection ambit.
It also accorded nod to the proposal of extension of scheme of levy/recovery of development charges of water and sewer at reduced rates for domestic connection in case of colonies falling in D, E, F, G & H category of unauthorised colonies.
Besides, the board has also given its nod to procure 4,000 safety kits for sewer gang beldars and private labourers engaged in desilting and cleaning of sewers, drain and septic tank.
In order to eradicate the fatal accidents caused while carrying out cleaning works of sewer lines, drains, septic tanks, the Chief Minister and Chairman of DJB Arvind Kejriwal encouraged the use of safety gears and decided to distribute the basic safety gears for free of cost among the DJB sanitation staffs. The kit will comprise of hand gloves, gum boots, helmet, safety belts, florescent jackets, torch, litmus papers etc.