Delhi govt eases DJB policy to reduce water infrastructure charges: CM Rekha Gupta

The Delhi government has approved a simplified DJB policy, reducing water infrastructure charges to only new construction projects or additional construction on existing properties.

The Delhi government has approved a simplified DJB policy on properties to reduce the water infrastructure charges, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday.

Gupta said that water infrastructure charges for the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) will apply only to new construction projects or additional construction carried out on an existing property.

''Water and sewer infrastructure charges will now be determined based on the actual water demand rather than the total area of a building,'' Gupta told reporters.

The decision aims to reduce unnecessary financial burden on citizens, enhance transparency and encourage development, she added.

The government has also decided to provide special relief to different categories of colonies and economically affected sections, she said.

''Families building new homes or carrying out additional construction often had to pay charges running into several lakhs of rupees, causing significant hardship. Keeping this in view, the Delhi government has reviewed the entire system and decided to make it simpler, more transparent and more beneficial for the public,'' the chief minister said in a statement.

According to the Delhi government, properties located in E and F category colonies will receive a 50 per cent concession in infrastructure charges, while those in G and H category colonies will be eligible for concessions of up to 70 per cent.

Gupta also announced that residential units measuring 50 square metres or less, built on plots larger than 200 square metres, will receive an additional 50 per cent concession, providing direct relief to small families and the middle class.

''Religious institutions and charitable organisations registered under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act will also be entitled to an additional 50 per cent concession on water and sewer charges,'' Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said.

Plots measuring up to 200 square metres will continue to remain exempt from the charges, he said.

The Delhi government is also developing 12 new decentralised sewage treatment plants in Najafgarh for Rs 860 crore.