Parvesh Verma Blames Legacy Neglect for Delhi’s Water Crisis, Says BJP Government Delivering Solutions

 BJP minister Parvesh Verma on Friday presented a detailed statement in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, saying that problems such as contaminated water, leaking pipelines and irregular supply are the result of years of neglect by previous governments not recent failures.

He said the current dispensation and the Delhi Jal Board, with support from the Government of India, are fully committed to providing clean, fair and round-the-clock (24x7) water supply to every household.

However, he pointed out that the government inherited a badly damaged and outdated water infrastructure.

“We did not create these problems. We inherited them. The difference is that we are taking responsibility and delivering solutions,” the minister said.

Addressing the House, Verma said Delhi has around 16,000 km of water pipelines, many of which are old and damaged. More than 5,200 km of pipelines are over 30 years old, while about 2,700 km are between 20 and 30 years old. This has led to frequent leakages, pipeline bursts, contamination risks, and water losses of up to 55 percent.

“When pipelines are 30 years old, it is not water that flows, but problems,” he remarked.

The minister said major water reform projects at Chandrawal and Wazirabad, proposed in 2011, remained stuck for years due to indecision, repeated cancellation of tenders and disputes with funding agencies under the previous government.

The Chandrawal Command Area Project, meant to cover 96 square kilometres and benefit around 22 lakh people, saw tenders cancelled in 2020 and no work awarded even after bids were opened in 2021. He said repeated changes in project plans violated funding agency guidelines.

Similarly, the Wazirabad project, covering 123 square kilometres and serving around 30 lakh people, saw its cost rise from ₹2,243 crore to ₹3,715 crore. Funding agency ADB withdrew support in October 2020, bringing the project to a halt.

“Private interests were put above the needs of Delhi’s people,” the Minister alleged.

Verma said in just 11 months, the current government has approved 94 major water and sewerage projects worth Rs. 7,212 crore. These include water pipelines, sewer networks, and sewage treatment plants.

He said the Chandrawal project has been revived, with remaining work awarded in November 2025 at a cost of Rs. 2,406 crore. The project includes laying 1,044 km of new pipelines and building 21 underground reservoirs, benefiting nine Assembly constituencies.

The Wazirabad project has also been revived with ADB support, involving 1,697 km of new pipelines and 14 underground reservoirs, benefiting 11 constituencies.

“Where earlier governments abandoned projects, we chose the people of Delhi,” he said.

The Minister said water supply has been extended to several unauthorised colonies and villages. A total of 262 new tube wells have been commissioned and 200 km of new pipelines laid, bringing regular water supply to many areas for the first time.

New underground reservoirs have been commissioned at Palla (37 MLD), Bijwasan (9 MLD) and Siraspur (12 MLD).

Highlighting sanitation efforts, the Delhi minister said trunk sewers that had not been cleaned for decades are now being desilted. An amount of Rs 170 crore has been allocated and 100 km of trunk sewers cleaned so far.

“Cleaning sewers is not just technical work, it is essential for public health,” he said.

He also announced that septic tank cleaning will be provided free of cost until all households are connected to the sewer network. For this, 300 new government-operated tankers have been deployed to protect residents from private tanker exploitation and prevent pollution of groundwater and the Yamuna.

The Minister said the government is working on multiple fronts to increase water availability. Talks are underway with Himachal Pradesh for 113 MGD of additional water and with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for 51 cusecs.

Work is also being done on lining canals, studying new pipeline options with IIT Roorkee, and increasing capacity at the Dwarka Water Treatment Plant.

“Delhi’s water problems will not be solved through politics, but through clear policy, strong intent and effective execution,” Verma added.