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New Delhi: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Monday announced the ‘Summer Action Plan 2026’ which aims to address peak season water scarcity through a combination of infrastructure development, technology integration and public participation. The plan was announced by Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and set a production target of 1,002 million gallons per day (MGD) to meet the growing demand in the capital.
As water consumption soars during the summer, the government has deployed 1,221 GPS-equipped water tankers to provide water to water-scarce areas. Calling the tanker service a temporary solution, Singh said, “Despite the challenges, we are working to provide drinking water to Delhi’s growing population. Although our water sources are limited, it is our responsibility to ensure that all our citizens have adequate supply.”
To augment supply, DJB plans to install 436 new tube wells, bringing the total to around 6,290 across the city. Additionally, 500 water ATMs will be installed in high-traffic locations to provide accessible drinking water.
Delhi currently relies heavily on raw water from the Yamuna river, which is treated at nine water treatment plants. However, supplies are often interrupted due to high pollution levels, especially ammonia. Regarding this, Singh said, “We will continuously monitor the quality of raw water, including ammonia levels, to avoid any disruption.” He added that upgrades to pumps, motors and electromechanical systems are underway to improve efficiency.
The main highlight of this plan is the integration of artificial intelligence. DJB has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur to develop tools such as an AI-powered chatbot and a real-time grievance redressal system through the ‘DJB 1916’ mobile app. “Today, we have a modern, transparent system in place that allows citizens to monitor their own services,” Singh said.
The minister also pointed to long-term plans, including a 50-year water master plan that takes into account the addition of nearly 2 million new apartments. The continued upgrade of the Chandrawal water treatment plant is expected to improve supply in at least 10 parliamentary constituencies.
Singh appealed to residents to conserve water, urging simple measures such as avoiding tap water and using buckets instead of hoses. “Providing clean water and rejuvenating the Yamuna is not just an obligation, it is a shared responsibility,” he said.
As Delhi braces for more water supply, the government is in talks with Haryana to secure an additional 51 cusecs of water.
