24×7 Water Supply In Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has made a bold fourth poll promise ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, vowing to provide uninterrupted 24-hour water supply across the city. Kejriwal launched this ambitious initiative from Pandav Nagar DDA flats in Rajender Nagar alongside Chief Minister Atishi and MLA Durgesh Pathak.
In a symbolic gesture, Kejriwal drank water directly from the tap to demonstrate its quality and cleanliness. He addressed the residents, emphasizing the AAP government’s vision of providing clean drinking water to every household, from informal settlements to upscale apartments.
How The 24×7 Water Supply Will Be Achieved?
Kejriwal outlined a comprehensive plan to meet the additional water demand necessary for a 24×7 supply in Delhi. Currently, the city receives 900 MGD (million gallons per day), but to achieve the promised target, the production capacity needs to increase to 1,250 MGD. He detailed the following measures to make this possible:
- Groundwater Extraction:
- Borewells along the Yamuna banks will generate 100 MGD.
- The installation of 2,500 tubewells citywide is expected to add another 200 MGD.
- Water Treatment Plants:
- The Trans-Yamuna area will see de-ammonisation and RO plants installed to purify extracted groundwater.
- Additional RO plants in South and Southwest Delhi will provide 100 MGD of potable water.
- Yamuna Tubewells:
- Tubewells installed between Wazirabad and Palla will contribute another 100 MGD.
These combined efforts are projected to add 400 MGD of water, bringing the total production capacity to 1,400 MGD, surpassing the required target.
AAP’s Vision For Clean Water Access
Kejriwal reflected on the progress made since the AAP came to power in 2015. He highlighted how the party reduced the dependency on water tankers, which had dominated Delhi’s water supply system for years. “Before 2015, 50-60% of households relied on water tankers. The tanker mafia ruled Delhi. Today, over 97% of households receive water directly through pipelines,” he said.
However, Kejriwal acknowledged that the current supply is not yet 24×7. This initiative aims to make that possible while ensuring the water is clean, potable, and free from harmful contaminants.
Challenges And Solutions For 24×7 Water Supply In Delhi
Kejriwal admitted that the execution of this project faced several delays due to various challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, which consumed 2.5 years, and what he referred to as politically motivated arrests of AAP leaders. Despite these setbacks, Kejriwal assured residents that his team is now fully focused on delivering the project across the city.
He also addressed the issue of water contamination in certain areas. For example, the groundwater in the Trans-Yamuna region is unfit for consumption. To tackle this, advanced treatment plants will be installed to remove impurities and make the water safe for household use.
Political Reactions To The Announcement
Kejriwal’s promise has drawn mixed reactions from political opponents. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav criticized the announcement, calling it a “false promise” that Kejriwal has been making since 2013. Yadav remarked sarcastically that Kejriwal’s dream of a 24×7 water supply “only comes true during monsoon floods.”
Similarly, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused the AAP government of failing to deliver on its water supply promises, claiming that several areas in Delhi still receive water only once every two days.
Comparing Kejriwal’s Past Promises
This is not the first bold promise Kejriwal has made ahead of elections. In recent weeks, he announced three other major initiatives:
- Mahila Samman Yojana: ₹2,100 monthly allowance for women.
- Sanjeevani Yojana: Free healthcare for senior citizens above 60 years.
- Ambedkar Yojana: Scholarships for students from reserved categories.
These promises, combined with the latest water supply initiative, reflect AAP’s focus on welfare-oriented governance and infrastructure development.
A Closer Look At Delhi’s Water Crisis
Delhi has long struggled with water scarcity and quality issues. The city’s dependence on neighboring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for water supply often leads to disputes and shortages. Moreover, the rising population continues to strain existing resources.
The introduction of RO plants, de-ammonisation units, and tubewells aims to address both quality and quantity challenges. However, experts warn that over-extraction of groundwater could lead to long-term ecological consequences, such as depletion of aquifers.
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The Way Forward For 24×7 Water Supply
While the roadmap presented by Kejriwal is ambitious, its success will depend on timely execution and effective collaboration with various stakeholders. Securing additional water from neighboring states, addressing logistical challenges, and ensuring water equity across Delhi’s diverse neighborhoods will be critical for the initiative’s success.
For residents, the promise of uninterrupted clean water represents a transformative step toward improving their quality of life. Kejriwal’s initiative also sets a precedent for other metropolitan cities grappling with similar challenges to invest in sustainable water infrastructure.
As Delhi heads into Assembly elections, this promise could become a focal point of AAP’s campaign, potentially swaying voter sentiment. However, the opposition’s criticism and the city’s past water supply issues highlight the uphill battle that lies ahead for Kejriwal and his team.
The AAP chief’s commitment to delivering 24×7 water supply across Delhi reflects the party’s larger vision of governance—focused on providing essential services while tackling deep-rooted systemic challenges. Whether this vision materializes remains to be seen, but for now, the promise has reignited hope for millions of residents waiting for a permanent solution to the city’s water woes.