The Master Plan for Delhi 2047, prepared by the Delhi Development Authority and unveiled by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, outlines an overhaul of the capital's water supply, sewerage and drainage systems to meet the needs of a projected 32 million (mn) population by 2047. It notes that potable water demand is expected to rise to around 1,600 million gallons per day (MGD) by 2047, creating an additional requirement of 401 MGD over existing capacity. The deficit is to be met in phases, with plans to add 110 MGD in the short to medium term and a further 291 MGD through longer term projects.

The plan proposes reducing the use of fresh Yamuna water for irrigation by replacing it with treated wastewater and making reuse mandatory for activities such as horticulture, park irrigation and other non-potable public uses to ease pressure on drinking supplies. It seeks additional raw water from Uttar Pradesh and envisages tapping upstream storage projects including Renukaji, Lakhwar and Kishau to supplement supplies.

The blueprint also targets a substantial expansion of sewage treatment, proposing to raise installed capacity to around 1,285 MGD, equivalent to treating nearly 80 per cent of the water supplied. It calls for interception and treatment of sewage from all 22 major drains flowing into the Yamuna alongside measures such as bio-remediation. For densely populated and unplanned settlements where conventional sewers are difficult to lay, the plan recommends decentralised sewage treatment plants and interceptor sewer projects.

The master plan adopts a zero tolerance approach to the discharge of untreated industrial effluents, sewage and solid waste into natural water bodies and outlines an updated drainage master plan with measures such as bio-swales, rainwater harvesting sumps in parks and other low-cost interventions to reduce flooding. It also proposes bringing baolis, revived wetlands and artificial water bodies into a city-wide groundwater recharge network. A separate Delhi Drainage Master Plan is under preparation to address the city's drainage requirements over the next 30 years.