The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) was conferred the International Water Performance Initiative Award for the year 2014 at the Global Water Summit, held in Paris. The DJB emerged as the winner out of a list of nominees from across the world under the ‘Water Performance Initiative of the Year Award 2014’ category.
The Global Water Summit, held at Paris, France, from April 6 to April 8 had its them for the year as ‘Water for Growth’.
“The Award not only lauds the efforts made by the Delhi Jal Board, but also cites that the authority successfully weaned itself off state subsidies whilst reducing its debt burden, thus, becoming one of the first utilities in India to cover its O&M costs. It also commends Delhi Jal Board for having revitalised its obsolete billing and collection system, thereby reducing the billing cycle, improving accuracy and developing a robust customer database,” said Consultant (PR), Delhi Jal Board , Sanjam Chima.
The citation notes that the DJB made sustained efforts to tackle the city’s ‘tanker mafia’ and secured a safer service for its vast client base, setting a shining example before the rest of the country, she added.
The Global Water Summit is a major business conference for the water industry worldwide.
The awards acknowledge the most important achievements in the international water industry within several categories.
The other nominees were commended for their work in the water and wastewater sector in their geographical locations.