To curb water losses, Delhi Jal Board plans a 'one zone, one operator' policy

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is working on a policy to deploy private operators to manage water and sewage services by carving the Capital into eight zones—on the lines of reforms by power distribution companies—with a sharp focus on curbing 50-52% water supply loss, senior government functionaries said on Monday.

- Paras Singh

Each operator will oversee DJB infrastructure in their zone, and the functioning of the concessionaires will be overseen by the DJB, they said.

Delhi water minister Parvesh Verma said that the proposed plan will bring in a “one zone, one operator policy”.

“Delhi will be covered in eight zones... such as command areas in Wazirabad, Chandrawal or Haiderpur. One operator will be in place for one catchment zone and that operator will be responsible for works related to sewer and water lines, reduction in non-revenue water and billing in that area. This operator will handle services in that area, just like power distribution companies do in their areas,” Verma said.

DJB is responsible for the procurement of raw water, treatment and supply to three local bodies.