Delhi Summer Plan: Tackling Water Shortage & Cleaning Yamuna

As temperatures begin to rise and water demand is set to surge, the Delhi government on Monday unveiled its Summer Action Plan 2026–27, outlining measures to ensure steady supply, reduce distribution gaps and step up efforts to clean the Yamuna.

The government launched the plan at the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) headquarters in Jhandewalan as the city prepares for another harsh summer marked by recurring shortages in several areas and ongoing concerns over tanker distribution.Water Minister Parvesh Verma said the government’s priority this year is to maintain production levels while strengthening accountability across the system. He stressed that ensuring clean water supply and protecting the Yamuna is a collective responsibility.

Delhi Targeting Peak Supply, Strengthening Plants

At the centre of the plan is a target to sustain around 1,002 million gallons per day (MGD) of water supply during peak summer months. Authorities are preparing major treatment plants—including Chandrawal, Wazirabad, Haiderpur, Nangloi, Okhla, Dwarka, Bawana and Sonia Vihar—while closely monitoring raw water quality, particularly ammonia levels that have disrupted supply in the past.

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Improving Last-Mile Connectivity

Officials have laid pipelines in 1,646 out of 1,799 unauthorised colonies and plan to cover the remaining areas in phases. Bridging last-mile gaps and ensuring equitable distribution will be key priorities, especially in localities dependent on tanker supply.

Delhi Tech Upgrade For Tanker Monitoring

Authorities will overhaul the tanker system, often criticised for inefficiency and lack of transparency. They will deploy around 1,200 tankers each month, equipped with GPS tracking, geo-tagging and real-time dashboard monitoring. Digitised routes and fixed supply points will help curb misuse.

The minister noted that tanker supply is only a temporary arrangement, with long-term focus on strengthening pipeline infrastructure.

Delhi Digital Tools For Faster Complaint Redressal

To improve grievance handling, the government has introduced digital solutions, including an advanced CRM platform, the DJB 1916 mobile app, an AI-powered chatbot and a WhatsApp interface. Residents will be able to file and track complaints in real time. A 24×7 call centre will support the system, with automatic escalation from junior engineers to senior officials if issues remain unresolved, aimed at improving accountability and response times.

Push For Additional Water Supply

Meanwhile, discussions with Haryana are underway to secure additional raw water. Efforts are also being made to enhance storage capacity at Wazirabad through desilting work.

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