By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

ADB-backed project to modernise ageing pipelines, slash water losses and link eight command centres across the capital

New Delhi: Delhi’s ₹2,574-crore Wazirabad Water Supply Improvement Project has cleared a key hurdle, with the Screening Committee of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) granting in-principle approval to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-assisted project aimed at modernising the city’s water infrastructure.

Conceptualised in 2013 but stalled for years, the project will now move towards implementation, covering the entire water supply chain — from the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant and transmission network to distribution lines and household connections.

Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the project would focus on creating a stronger, modern and reliable water network capable of serving Delhi for decades.

Ageing pipelines to make way for upgraded network

The project envisages replacing old, damaged and undersized pipelines and laying new transmission and distribution lines wherever required. Existing networks will also be interconnected to improve water pressure, distribution and reliability.

The Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, underground reservoirs, pumping infrastructure and distribution network will be upgraded. House-service connections will be improved and regularised, while areas without formal connections will be integrated into the planned network wherever technically feasible.

A key objective will be reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) arising from leakages, physical losses and unauthorised consumption.

“The objective is simple — more of the water we produce should reach the people it is meant for,” Parvesh Sahib Singh said, stressing that the network would be strengthened from the treatment plant to individual households.

Eight command centres to put Delhi’s water network on one digital platform

A major technology component of the project is the creation of eight interconnected Command Centres covering Delhi’s water supply system.

The centres will cover Wazirabad and Chandrawal, along with the West, South-West, East, North-East, North-West and South zones.

Connected through a common digital platform, the centres will provide officials with a city-wide view of the water network. SCADA and digital monitoring systems will enable real-time tracking of water flow, pressure, reservoir levels, pumping stations and other critical infrastructure.

The system is expected to help officials identify network problems faster and improve coordination with field teams.

₹43.77-crore consultancy proposal placed before DJB

As implementation advances, a ₹43.77-crore Project Management Consultancy (PMC) proposal for the ADB-assisted Wazirabad project has been placed before the Delhi Jal Board.

The proposal is in favour of M/s NJS Engineers India Pvt. Ltd. (Lead) and NJS Co., Ltd., Japan (JV). The PMC will provide technical and project-management assistance for implementation, supervision and coordination.

Delhi eyes 30-year water master plan

Alongside the Wazirabad project, a proposal has been placed before the Delhi Jal Board for preparing a comprehensive 30-year Water Master Plan for the capital.

The proposed ₹88.63-crore consultancy, to be awarded to M/s Haskoning India Consulting Pvt. Ltd., will cover preparation of the Water Master Plan, Detailed Project Reports, bid process management and supervision services for reducing NRW across six water supply zones.

Parvesh Sahib Singh said Delhi needed long-term planning rather than project-by-project development, with the Master Plan expected to provide a roadmap for the capital’s water infrastructure over the next three decades.

Zone-wise rollout targeted from January 2027

The wider programme is proposed to advance in phases. The West and South-West Zones are targeted for award by January 2027, while the East, North-East, North-West and South Zones are targeted for award by March 2027.

The Wazirabad initiative will complement other major water infrastructure projects, including the Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant project supported by JICA.

The Delhi Government also said e-KYC work is underway, to be followed by improvements in billing and consumer-management systems.

The Water Minister said the broader objective was to combine investment, technology, professional expertise and long-term planning to create a modern, connected water network capable of meeting Delhi’s future requirements.