New Delhi: Emphasising that ensuring clean and affordable drinking water remains a major challenge in the national capital, a senior party leader has requested the BJP government in Delhi to provide bottled water to residents free of charge.
Reiterating the proposal he made in an earlier letter to Delhi government, former MLA and national spokesperson R.P. Singh communicated to Minister Parvesh Verma, who holds the water portfolio, last week saying that while privileged households install RO systems or purifiers, they spend more than Rs 4,000 annually on AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract).
“Delhi needs to upgrade its drinking water system as the old system of supplying drinking water through pipes has proved to be a little risky because of what has happened in Indore recently,” Singh told ThePrint. Adding “…I have reiterated my request again, communicated to him (Verma) again that the idea of supplying water through pipelines should be relooked into because even after water being supplied through pipelines individuals have installed ROs which consumes a lot of water and wastes water as well as electricity.”
“Poor people have to buy water so I have given an option with commercials to the Delhi government keeping in mind that they can experiment it as a pilot project,” said the former MLA from Delhi’s Rajinder Nagar. Singh pointed out that he introduced Delhi’s first water ATM in Naraina village in 2014 to ensure supply of clean drinking water for residents.
“On the other hand, poorer sections—especially jhuggi cluster residents—spend Rs 25 to Rs 40 per 20-litre bottle, amounting to Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 per month per household. Despite advanced filtration technology, corrosion in water pipelines, leakages, and aging infrastructure contaminate tap water, making it unsafe for direct consumption,” he said.
To address this, Singh has proposed a two-pronged approach: “NaMo Jal”.
The first part will involve two 20-litre bottles per household daily to be distributed free of charge through 400 NaMo water ATMs across Delhi for drinking and cooking purposes.
“Home delivery option available, where consumers pay only the delivery charge, not the cost of water,” Singh wrote in his letter.
The second part of this proposal is to provide treated wastewater for bathing, washing, cleaning, and gardening at a nominal charge.
Singh’s decision to reiterate his proposal comes in the backdrop of at least 10 deaths reported in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore owing to alleged water contamination. The Mohan Yadav-led BJP government in the state is under fire over its handling of the issue.
In his representation to Verma, Singh went on to explain why he believes safe drinking water cannot be provided using taps, with pipeline corrosion leading to contamination.
“Leakages and illegal connections allow pollutants into the water supply. Aging infrastructure reduces water purity,” he wrote, while suggesting that the solution lies in ‘purified water from ATMs (that will) ensure 100 percent safe drinking water’.
He also suggested that the government provide financial relief to jhuggi residents who have to rely on paid water.
“Free water eliminates Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 monthly expenses on bottled water. Families can redirect savings to food, education, and healthcare. Existing water ATMs provide water at 30 paise per litre. 500 new ATMs will be installed in high-density areas for better accessibility,” read the letter Singh sent to Verma earlier.
To ensure financial viability, Singh in the letter pointed out that corporate advertisements can serve as a potential revenue model. “NaMo Jal will generate revenue through corporate advertisements on water bottle wraps.” The letter went on to add that brands like “Amul, Patanjali Hair Oil, Parle Biscuits, etc., will use NaMo Jal bottles as advertising platforms”.
Explaining how this would work, the letter stated that advertising options will be provided under which ribbons carrying advertisements will be wrapped around the 20-litre water bottles. “Branded bottle coloring, where companies can print their names/logos directly on the bottles (will be provided). This innovative model allows corporates to advertise their products while ensuring free water access for the public,” the letter submits.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)