East Delhi to Get 24-Hour Ganga Water from Next Year; New Pipeline Underway

New Delhi: Residents of East Delhi can look forward to 24-hour water supply from the Ganga starting June or July next year. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is laying a new 20-kilometer, 1500 mm pipeline from the Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant to Shahdara, Greater Kailash, and Lajpat Nagar’s water supply zones. About 60% of the work has already been completed, with the remaining expected to finish by next June.

Project Cost and Upgrades
The total estimated cost of the project is around ₹272 crore, of which approximately ₹147.8 crore has already been spent. The new pipeline replaces the old 1200 mm lines that were 35–40 years old, prone to leaks, and insufficient to meet the growing water demand of Delhi’s population. The upgraded pipeline will ensure reduced wastage and reliable supply to millions of residents.

Bridging the Supply-Demand Gap
Delhi’s population continues to rise annually, increasing water demand. According to DJB records, the supply-demand gap has remained around 250 MGD for several years. Large dam projects expected to meet future water needs will take 6–7 years to complete. To address immediate demand, DJB plans to install 280 tube wells across the city, which will provide an additional 22.8 MGD of water.

Extended Supply to Greater Kailash and Lajpat Nagar
The new pipeline extends to Dallupura UGR and further connects to water supply zones in Greater Kailash and Lajpat Nagar, areas that have historically faced shortages. Currently, Delhi receives 256 MGD of raw water from the Upper Ganga Canal in Uttar Pradesh, regulated through Muradnagar. Of this, 144 MGD goes to Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant and 112 MGD to the Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant. The new pipeline will improve distribution and provide round-the-clock water supply to East Delhi residents.