Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma has announced a sweeping initiative to tackle long-pending civic issues in the capital — starting with massive relief for households burdened by inflated water bills. Speaking to the media on the BJP-led administration’s 100-day mark, Verma revealed that a new scheme to reduce domestic water bills by up to 90% is in its final stages, promising a much-needed financial respite to lakhs of Delhi residents.
“We are in the process of introducing a bill waiver scheme very soon. A major overhaul of the billing mechanism is also underway. A new software is being developed to ensure accurate billing, and some technical glitches are currently being resolved,” Verma said, outlining the Delhi Jal Board's (DJB) upcoming reforms, which serve nearly 29 lakh homes in the city.
In addition to the billing reform, Verma announced that every unauthorized colony in Delhi will be connected to the sewer system by 2027. “A global tender for this master plan will be floated soon. It aims to address existing issues while preparing for the future growth of the city,” he added, describing the DJB’s comprehensive sewerage blueprint as one of the most ambitious urban infrastructure projects in recent memory.
With monsoon season fast approaching, Verma also provided a detailed overview of preparedness efforts. Around 35% of PWD-managed drains have already been desilted, and the rest are expected to be cleared by June 15. Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department has removed over 15 lakh metric tonnes of silt from Delhi’s major drains to prevent flooding in low-lying areas.
The government has also equipped the capital with new infrastructure to respond swiftly to seasonal emergencies. “We are working on the principle of ‘One City, One Control Room, One Number’. This season, all monsoon-related responses will be coordinated from a centralized control room at the NDMC Command Center,” Verma explained.
Other infrastructure enhancements include the resurfacing of 100 kilometers of roads and installation of 2,500 new streetlights to improve visibility and safety in poorly lit neighborhoods.
Marking a change in the administrative culture, Verma emphasized that the unified governance model under the BJP has brought coherence and accountability to city management. “There’s no blame game now. Unlike the previous administration, we are addressing every issue with accountability. All levels of government are working in coordination,” he stated.
