Delhi lines up 43 water and sewage projects worth Rs 8,941 crore

Delhi is preparing to advance 43 water-supply and sewage infrastructure projects worth Rs 8,941.22 crore, with Union home minister Amit Shah scheduled to inaugurate completed works and lay foundation stones for new projects on Thursday, October 22.

Delhi water minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said 10 projects worth Rs 2,827.11 crore would be inaugurated, while foundation stones would be laid for the remaining 33 projects.

The programme includes sewage-treatment plants, upgrades to existing facilities, decentralised treatment infrastructure, sewer networks, a water-treatment plant and a major trunk drain, reported The Indian Express.

One of the principal projects scheduled for inauguration is a new sewage-treatment plant at Okhla with a capacity of 124 million gallons per day. The plant has an estimated cost of Rs 1,161 crore.

Eight existing sewage-treatment plants will be upgraded under a separate package costing Rs 1,041 crore. Their combined treatment capacity is expected to increase from 78.2 MGD to 140.8 MGD, with an estimated 78.5 lakh people set to benefit.

Another Rs 3,113.67 crore has been allocated for 29 decentralised sewage-treatment plants and sewage-pumping stations in Outer Delhi. The projects are expected to cover 358 unauthorised colonies and 113 villages, with a combined population of around 36.29 lakh.

The programme also includes a 1,034-km sewer network estimated to cost Rs 1,691 crore, which is expected to benefit approximately 25.82 lakh people.

A 477 million litres per day water-treatment plant at Chandrawal, costing Rs 298.3 crore, is also part of the programme. The facility is planned to replace existing plants built in 1935 and 1955 and is expected to serve around 22 lakh people.

A 4.5-km trunk drain at Mundka, estimated to cost Rs 225.02 crore, is another component scheduled to be unveiled during the event.

The programme is intended to expand sewage collection and treatment, increase access to sewer networks and improve water-treatment capacity. Delhi has also identified preventing sewage from entering the Yamuna as a priority.

The October 22 event is scheduled. The status and implementation timelines of individual projects will depend on whether they are being inaugurated or are only receiving foundation stones.