In a bid to boost waste water facilities in the city, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has finalised a draft ‘Sewerage Master Plan (SMP) 2031’. The proposal aims to develop a comprehensive, technically viable plan for the implementation of sewerage works within the national Capital. The water utility on Wednesday uploaded the draft of Sewerage Master Plan to invite suggestions and objections from stakeholders on the same.
“The Master Plan envisages laying of sewer lines in a length of about 10,500 kilometres, which is a lengthy process. Hence, the work is to be carried out in a phased manner, prioritising the areas where sewer lines can be made functional, immediately after being laid, because of availability of outfall sewers and Wastewater Treatment Plants,” said a DJB official.
More than 55 percent of the population in urban Delhi has access to a centralised sewerage system. With the implementation of SMP 2031, sewerage facilities will be extended in the unplanned areas including the rural, the resettlement and the unauthorised colonies, the water utility stated. The work of laying of sewer lines has already been completed in 135 unauthorised colonies and work is in progress for 208 other unauthorised colonies. Tenders for taking up work in another 80 colonies have either been approved or are under process of award.
“The Master Plan for Sewerage System of Delhi for the year 2031 (Draft) has been uploaded on DJB’s website. The draft is being sent to the NGOs, IITs, various stakeholders and other organizations with relevant expertise, for their suggestions and comments, so that the Master Plan can be finalised. SMP-2013 is likely to be finalized at the latest, by October, 2014,” said the official.