New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) The Master Plan for Delhi 2047 (MPD-2047) proposes increasing water availability, expanding sewage treatment capacity and improving drainage to tackle the city’s growing water stress.
The new master plan prepared by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and unveiled by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday plans to overhaul the capital’s water supply, sewerage and drainage systems to meet the needs of a projected 3.2 crore population by 2047.
According to the plan, Delhi’s potable water demand is expected to rise to around 1,600 MGD by 2047, creating an additional requirement of 401 MGD over the existing capacity.
The deficit is proposed to be met in phases, with measures to add 110 MGD in the short to medium term and another 291 MGD through longer-term projects.
The plan also proposes reducing the use of fresh Yamuna water for irrigation by replacing it with treated wastewater, seeking additional raw water from Uttar Pradesh, and tapping water from upstream storage projects such as Renukaji, Lakhwar, and Kishau.
The MPD proposes raising the city’s installed sewage treatment capacity to around 1,285 MGD, equivalent to treating nearly 80 per cent of the water supplied.
The plan also calls for all 22 major drains flowing into the Yamuna to be intercepted and their sewage treated, along with measures such as bio-remediation.
For densely populated and unplanned areas where laying conventional sewer networks is difficult, the plan proposes decentralised sewage treatment plants and interceptor sewer projects.
It also takes a stricter stand on pollution, proposing zero tolerance for the discharge of untreated industrial effluents, sewage and solid waste into natural water bodies.
The plan calls for 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 making the reuse of treated sewage mandatory for activities such as horticulture, park irrigation and other non-potable public uses, reducing the pressure on drinking water supplies.
According to the master plan, ‘baolis’, revived wetlands, and artificial water bodies are proposed to be brought into a city-wide groundwater recharge network.
A Delhi Drainage Master Plan is currently under works to address the city’s drainage requirements over the next 30 years. PTI VBH VN VN
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.