1,025 defaulters to face DJB sealing action

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has issued notices to over a thousand commercial property owners who owe massive amounts in unpaid water bills, warning them of property sealing if dues are not cleared by August 15, 2026.

Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh announced on Thursday that the board has identified 1,025 commercial properties with outstanding water bills of Rs 25 lakh or more, built up over several years. He said the Government has given these defaulters a final window to settle their accounts before facing legal action. The minister said the DJB is legally empowered to attach and seal properties belonging to persistent defaulters. He made clear that action would follow automatically once the deadline lapses. “So far, we have identified 1,025 commercial properties with outstanding water bills of `25 lakh or more accumulated over the years. If they fail to pay within the given deadline, appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the rules,” Singh said.

The crackdown is linked to the Late Payment Surcharge Waiver Scheme, first launched last year for household consumers and later extended to commercial users. The scheme allows defaulters to pay off their principal dues while getting significant relief on accumulated penalty charges.

Singh said commercial consumers are also eligible to benefit from this waiver scheme. He expressed hope that the initiative would boost recovery of pending payments and improve the DJB’s financial health.

According to figures shared by the minister, the Delhi Government is aiming to recover close to Rs 5,000 crore in unpaid principal water dues. Alongside this recovery drive, the government is offering relief by waiving off nearly Rs 11,000 crore worth of accumulated late payment surcharge across consumers.

Singh clarified that strict enforcement measures against defaulters will kick in only after the waiver scheme window closes. He reiterated that the scheme remains valid until August 15, 2026, after which non-compliant consumers will face consequences under existing legal provisions. “The LPSC Waiver Scheme is currently valid till August 15, 2026. Those who do not clear their dues within this period will face action under the applicable provisions of the law,” he said.

The scheme’s benefits have been structured in phases. Consumers who cleared their outstanding principal dues by January 31, 2026, received a full, 100 per cent waiver on their late payment surcharge. Those making payments after that date are currently entitled to a 70 per cent waiver on the surcharge amount.

The Delhi Government appears to be using a mix of incentives and deterrents to push through the recovery drive, offering substantial relief to those who pay up while signalling firm action against those who continue to default. With the deadline just over two weeks away, the coming days are expected to see a rush among commercial property owners looking to avoid penal action.