The DJB and the BSES cut a very sorry figure in terms of provisioning and governance of two very valuable resources, Water and Electricity.
From the water perspective, Delhi faces 400 MGD shortage despite getting the maximum supply ever. Delhi receives 830 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) water, the highest ever and yet the DJB quotes the demand supply gap to be 40 MGD (Supply figures quoted at 830 MGD) Ironically enough, the 830 MGD supply equals 274 litres per capita per day, which is 50% higher than the recommendations of the central public health and environmental engineering organization recommendations of 172 litres per capita per day.
The problems arise due to losses from leakages; about 45% is lost in distribution and transmission. The DJB is seeking to replace a large part of the distribution lines to curtail such losses.
Inequitable distribution and lack in storage capacity are other issues plaguing the water availabilities. Underground reservoirs have been commissioned, which once functional will ease up the distribution.
Lack of proper water supply is resulting in rapid depletion of the groundwater resources.
DJB has also not been able to plan as per the rapid population expansion, which raises a question on its capabilities to deliver as per the plan.
In absence of rain water harvesting solutions, 40000 MGD of water during monsoons is wasted in Delhi! Out of 53 rain water reservoirs sanctioned to the capital in 2000, only 24 have been commissioned, 10 will be commissioned in 2010 12 next year and work is yet to begin on 7 more.
Elsewhere, in power, Delhi has added only 230 MW extra power capacity in 7 years where as the demand of power is up 1100 MW. Delhi only produces 17% of the power it consumes and the last significant addition to production capacity in Delhi was in 2002, with 4 projects in the pipeline with the earliest date of commissioning to be next year. This is in-spite of the fact that the annual increase in demand is about 10 – 15%. Result is a 1040 MW shortfall against a demand of 4171 MW. The load sheddings in June 2009 have been 28.5 million units, which are a 400% increment over the June 2008’s 6.7 million units.
A small price the city commuters are having to pay for the lack of power are traffic jams triggered by non functional traffic signals. There is no back up power from inverters aggravating the chaos that is Delhi.
From the water perspective, Delhi faces 400 MGD shortage despite getting the maximum supply ever. Delhi receives 830 MGD (Million Gallons per Day) water, the highest ever and yet the DJB quotes the demand supply gap to be 40 MGD (Supply figures quoted at 830 MGD) Ironically enough, the 830 MGD supply equals 274 litres per capita per day, which is 50% higher than the recommendations of the central public health and environmental engineering organization recommendations of 172 litres per capita per day.
The problems arise due to losses from leakages; about 45% is lost in distribution and transmission. The DJB is seeking to replace a large part of the distribution lines to curtail such losses.
Inequitable distribution and lack in storage capacity are other issues plaguing the water availabilities. Underground reservoirs have been commissioned, which once functional will ease up the distribution.
Lack of proper water supply is resulting in rapid depletion of the groundwater resources.
DJB has also not been able to plan as per the rapid population expansion, which raises a question on its capabilities to deliver as per the plan.
In absence of rain water harvesting solutions, 40000 MGD of water during monsoons is wasted in Delhi! Out of 53 rain water reservoirs sanctioned to the capital in 2000, only 24 have been commissioned, 10 will be commissioned in 2010 12 next year and work is yet to begin on 7 more.
Elsewhere, in power, Delhi has added only 230 MW extra power capacity in 7 years where as the demand of power is up 1100 MW. Delhi only produces 17% of the power it consumes and the last significant addition to production capacity in Delhi was in 2002, with 4 projects in the pipeline with the earliest date of commissioning to be next year. This is in-spite of the fact that the annual increase in demand is about 10 – 15%. Result is a 1040 MW shortfall against a demand of 4171 MW. The load sheddings in June 2009 have been 28.5 million units, which are a 400% increment over the June 2008’s 6.7 million units.
A small price the city commuters are having to pay for the lack of power are traffic jams triggered by non functional traffic signals. There is no back up power from inverters aggravating the chaos that is Delhi.
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