Delhi polls 2015: AAP promises clean drinking water for all

NEW DELHI: If elected in Delhi, AAP has promised an amendment in the Delhi Jal Board Act to make clean drinking water a right for every resident.

The party has not only focused on 'lifeline' water for each family but has also set a timeline of five years for extending drinking water pipelines to all areas. AAP has also declared a need-based tariff on water and scrapping of the 10% annual hike. The C-1A category for tariff will be abolished to provide relief to those who run small shops from their houses in less than 100 square feet.

Senior AAP functionary Ashish Khetan said: "Our promise of up to 20 kilolitres of free water to each family will promote conservation, ensure extension of piped water supply to areas that do not have a system so far and encourage water metering. This year, the scheme will also be extended to group housing societies where bulk allotments will be made based on number of houses which will incentivize societies to self-regulate their consumption."

In the 49 days when AAP was in power, the lifeline water scheme benefitted only a small segment of people.

The party has also claimed that time-bound work will be carried out to create a water and sewage pipe network in all areas irrespective of their legal status. This will be done within five years.

AAP will also focus on measures to recharge groundwater to ensure there is sufficient supply in the city. "Firstly, tubewells and borewells will be regulated. Borewells will be utilized for recharging rainwater. Waterbodies will be revived and maintained in partnership with mohalla sabhas. Tamil Nadu has done good work on rainwater harvesting so we will take ideas from the state. Incentives will be provided to those who carry out rainwater harvesting. It will be compulsory for all societies, government schools, hotels, and other commercial and office buildings to have rainwater harvesting systems. Check dams will be created along the Yamuna," says the party's agenda.

A separate plan has been drawn up for revival of the Yamuna. The party says that all industries discharging water into the Yamuna will be monitored and no untreated water will be allowed to flow into the river.

More sewage treatment plants will be set up with emphasis on secondary treatment so that water can be reused for non-potable purposes. No construction will be permitted on the riverbed.

The party will promote jal swaraj and management of water by residents. Citizen water councils will be set up for water governance and profit will be shared with RWAs for use in special projects.