The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has approved a Rs. 179.69 bn plan to overhaul Delhi’s sewer network by dividing the city into eight zones and placing all sewer infrastructure in each zone under a single private operator. The 10-year One Zone, One Operator model will cover repairs, maintenance, pumping stations, manholes and consumer complaints.

DJB currently manages 11,212 km of sewer lines, 668,000 manholes and 145 pumping stations across the capital. Under the new arrangement, operators will be responsible for the complete sewer system in their respective zones, with payments linked to performance and service delivery.

The plan is intended to shift the agency from complaint-based repairs to preventive maintenance. It will include geo-tagged inspections, real-time monitoring through a central command centre and 100 per cent mechanical and robotic cleaning of sewers. The system is also intended to establish clear responsibility for sewer-related problems, track complaints until resolution and reduce sewer overflows.

The board has separately approved a Rs. 114.27 bn investment for comprehensive transformation of water supply infrastructure in Delhi’s West and South-West zones, including 15 years of operation and maintenance. A consultant is working on plans for three other zones, while the Chandrawal and Wazirabad water treatment plant command areas have already received project sanctions.

DJB has also approved a Rs. 60.44 bn project to overhaul water supply infrastructure in south Delhi. The project will introduce smart meters, bulk flow meters, and chlorine and pressure sensors for real-time monitoring, improved metering and water auditing. In addition, tenders will be invited for 13 sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of 328 mn gallons a day, at an estimated cost of Rs. 73.73 bn. A further Rs. 35.05 bn loan has been approved for a 60 MGD treatment plant, transmission upgrades, SCADA systems and distribution improvements. New tariff and metering regulations will replace the 2012 framework and provide revised connection, billing and digital service provisions.