Delhi govt. to soon bring in policy on borewell regularisation: Parvesh

Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Friday announced that the Delhi government will soon bring in a policy for the regularisation of borewells to check the illegal extraction and solve the water crisis in the city.

“We are trying to provide water to every household. So, borewells should be allowed under regulation. A policy is being formulated to regularise them. Seizing all borewells all of a sudden will cause problems,” Mr. Singh said while addressing the Assembly in the ongoing Monsoon Session.

The Minister said that currently, borewells are being sealed in compliance with National Green Tribunal guidelines.

Mr. Singh said that while illegal borewells pose a serious issue, an abrupt shutdown of all borewells would lead to widespread disruption in the water supply.

“The current situation in Delhi is a result of 11 years of negligence. Abruptly shutting all borewells is not practical. Action has been taken against those selling water from borewells. An enforcement team is being formed to monitor commercial establishments like hotels and impose penalties wherever necessary,” the Minister said.

Mr. Singh’s assertion came while replying to BJP Sangam Vihar MLA Chandan Choudhary’s query over the water crisis and pipeline leakage in his constituency. Mr. Choudhary said a ₹7 crore pipeline project was executed in the area, but due to leakage, the line never became operational. “Now, officials are seeking an additional ₹4 crore to repair it,” he said.

Over the water crisis, the Minister said, “Eleven years ago, Delhi had a water loss rate of 30%, which has now increased to 40%. This [Aam Aadmi Party] might be the first in the country that increased water wastage. If we bring this down to 10%, Delhi will no longer face any water shortage,” he said.

Mr. Singh said 15 kilometres of new pipelines have been laid and 58 kilometres of old lines have been replaced in the past few months. The Minister assured that the government will work in every constituency regardless of the MLA’s party affiliation. “Our identity will be defined by performance, not politics,” he added.