Uninterrupted service is critical

Vice Chairman of Delhi Jal Board, Raghav Chadha, urges officials to maintain unhindered water supply and sewage services amid Coronavirus pandemic

Raghav Chadha, Vice Chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), chaired a meeting to review the present water supply services. He urged everybody to maintain unhindered water supply and sewage services amid Coronavirus pandemic. The meeting was attended by all senior officers and officials of the board.

The following decisions were taken to ensure uninterrupted water services in entire Delhi along with adoption of strict social distancing measures:

• The stock position and availability of chemicals, and other items used in treatment of water was reviewed. Directions were given to the officials to ensure that supply chain of such essential chemicals and supply of clean drinking water must remain uninterrupted.
• Water distribution through tankers was reviewed and necessary instructions were given with regard to coordination with local police officials for unhindered movement of tankers. Instructions were given with regard to social distancing while supplying the water through tankers.
• Concerned senior DJB officers were directed to take the local administration of police and magistrates in confidence so that no  problem is faced in movement of water tankers.
• Availability of staff/human resources on the ground to provide best possible services has to be ensured. It was noted in the meeting that there is an issue of outstationed employees that are unable to report due to non-availability of inter state conveyance and inter-state travel restrictions. Senior officials were directed to coordinate with local police and DMs/SDMs to facilitate the travel of such employees.
• Maintenance and service level quality to be ensured during the lockdown period.
• All workshops involved in providing necessary equipment for repair and Maintenance necessary for the functioning of the treatment plants and DJB network lines were asked to make appropriate provisions so that supply chain is not distributed.
• Delegation of emergency powers ( financial and administrative) to field officials will be done for immediate and swift disposal of work and grievances.
• Decisions regarding quick release of payment to vendors, who are involved in day to day operations and maintenance of plants, is taken so that they do not face any financial crunch and their service quality remains unaffected.
• Engineering divisions were directed to ensure adequate water supply using tankers at night shelters set-up by the Government, where the food is being provided to the poor and destitute.