Officials say the primary objective is to stop depending on neighbouring states for drinking water. And the secondary goal is to pump enough water from these tubewells, link it to the 40 million-gallons-daily capacity Nangloi water treatment plant, and make it operational.

``The ongoing fracas with Haryana over drawing water from the western Yamuna canal for the Nangloi plant,'' says a senior Delhi government official, ``has prompted the government to look for quick alternatives.''

And the quickest is boring deep tubewells along the flood plains where the ground water-level is high, and the quality of water is better than other areas. Suggestions from the Central Ground Water Authority -- especially about the distance separating the tube-wells (two to three km) -- have been called for and considered.

The most crucial question with regard to all ambitious government projects -- when will it be ready? -- is something nobody in the government is willing to answer. Boring of the tubewells has commenced, but the network of pipes needed to carry the water to your homes is yet to be chalked out.

So far the Delhi Jal Board has installed two tubewells, is working on another one near village Palla, about 45 km from ITO, and expects to bore 37 more by the end of this year, all along the Yamuna flood plains. It has similar plans for adjoining Alipur and other areas where good quality ground water is easily available.

Says a Delhi Jal Board official: ``Installing a deep tubewell costs the government Rs 1 lakh. Nevertheless, we hope to bore around 200 tube wells all over the city this year. Next summer, hopefully, there won't be a water shortage anywhere in Delhi.''

Adds Delhi Jal Board Chief Engineer G.C. Nandwani: ``In most places, where we have conducted preliminary tests even before boring the wells, the water needs little chlorination, before it is consumed. In some cases it needs to be treated further, though.'' This is where the Nangloi water treatment plant comes into the picture.

DJB officials expect to draw an average of around a million gallons of water daily from each of the tubewells. In case this water isn't found potable, it will carried to the Nangloi plant. Otherwise, after simple chlorination it will be supplied to west and northwest Delhi.

Nandwnai explains that areas like Narela currently receive treated water from the Haiderpur plant. ``In case a similar quantity of water can been supplied to Narela from the tubewells in the Yamuna flood plains, we will divert the Haiderpur water to another area.''

Nandwani also hopes that negotiations between the Delhi and Haryana governments over supply from the Western Yamuna Canal will finally yield a result in favour of Delhi. Especially now that the Centre has also intervened. He says: ``Our basic aim is to supply sufficient water to every home in Delhi. And we will try everything: Lakes, ponds, the Western Yamuna Canal and deep tubewells.''