Is the Haryana government really to be blamed for Delhi's water shortage? The answer perhaps lies in understanding the disparity in water supply and distribution and its growing demand within Delhi. As Lutyens' Delhi, a priviledged part of New Delhi, prepares for water austerity measures, here is how we stand in terms of water consumption:
Demand amid losses Total water supply in Delhi: 3,800 million litres a day (MLD) as per the survey by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2005-06 Per person water availability: 241 lpcd Demand for water in Delhi: 251 lpcd (as of 2011) of which 172 lpcd is for domestic purpose Water losses: 52% water is lost through leakages or is unaccounted for Net water availability: 1,824 MLD or 115 litres per person Total Demand: 3,973 MLD (2008-09) Demand and supply gap (after losses): 2,149 MLD Population served by the water supply network: 75 per cent Delhi's own water resources meet only 15% of the total demand 88% water requirement from surface water, including water from the Yamuna river, the Ganga and the Bhakra dam.12% from ground water 184 MLD water is sourced from the city's tubewells According to the Central Ground Water Board, in 1977, only 25 % areas in Delhi had saline water. Now almost 45% has brackish water, which is not recommended for domestic use Total water supply connections: 1,715,000 (according to Delhi Jal Board) Supply range: As little as 29 lpcd in Mehrauli zone in south Delhi to a high of 509 lpcd in the privileged residential zone of Delhi Cantonment and 462 lpcd in New Delhi Municipal Corporation area (as per CSE survey) Sewage generated by Delhi: 4,456 MLD (as per Central Pollution Control Board data; includes domestic and industrial sewage) Sewage generated from the city 656 MLD more than the water supplied Bhagirathi: 734 MLD (already operational as it feeds Sonia Vihar treatment plant) Renuka Dam on Giri (proposed): 1,399 MLD Lakhvar Vyasi and Kisau dams (proposed): 1,685 MLD DJB proposes to meet shortage of up to 757.08 MLD by developing a system of tubewells in flood plains of western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Delhi's projected water requirement: 6,965.15 MLD (as per Delhi Development Authority's Master Plan-2021) Projected shortfall in supply: 3,406.87 MLD (if proposed projects not completed) Shortfall (after assuming Bhagirathi and other proposed projects including Renuka Dam start supply water): 1,745.07 MLD - Compiled by Anupam Chakravartty |
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