All homes to get piped drinking water: CM

Addressing multiple public rallies on Saturday, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit reiterated the government's commitment to developing the water and roads infrastructure in the city. Dikshit assured drinking water supply to all households in Delhi and also said the roads in the city would soon be relaid.

Inaugurating an underground reservoir (UGR) and pumping station in Chhatarpur on Saturday, the Chief Minister said households in Delhi, which were being supplied by water tankers and borewells, would soon be supplied piped water.

"Our government is committed to ensuring supply of piped drinking water in every house in the city. There would be no dearth of money for this," Dikshit said.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 70 crore, the UGR and pumping station in Chhatarpur has a capacity of 146 lakh litres and aims to provide drinking water to at least five lakh people in 18 villages and 50 colonies in the region.

"It took four years to commission this UGR as there were many issues that needed to be resolved. These issues arose due to multiplicity of authorities," Dikshit said.

She said the laying of pipes would present no problems in future as the municipal corporations had transferred 647 roads to the government, thus avoiding difficulties in seeking permission.

The Chief Minister continued her verbal attack on the BJP-led municipal corporations at a second rally in Inderpuri. She said the municipal bodies were uninterested in the maintenance of roads. "The attitude of the municipal corporations caused difficulties not only to residents but also to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), which had to withdraw its modern buses from many routes," Dikshit said.

She said it was imperative that the capital had a network of reliable and long-lasting roads.

According to Dikshit, the government has expedited the renovation and refurbishment of 647 roads. "We have sanctioned Rs 1,800 crore for the development of 647 roads of 60-feet width and more. These roads are crucial as they connect a large number of colonies and villages," Dikshit said.

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