Delhi to take foreign specialists help to solve water paucity

, Aug 15: As the city grapples with

scarcity, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today said Delhi Government will take technical help from specialists from across the globe to set up a 40 MGD water treatment plant.

"There is a plan to take technical help from specialists from across the globe to give a new lease of life to Yamuna river. Water treatment plants will be started at Pappankalan, Nilothi, Yamuna Vihar and Delhi Gate. With technical help from Singapore Government, there is a plan to set up 40 MGD water treatment plants as well," he said after unfurling the tricolour at Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town as part of 68th Independence Day celebrations.

Plans have been made to make potable water available, Jung said, adding, that by saving 80 MGD water from Munak Haiderpur Canal, capacity of potable water will be increased and the construction work of Renuka Dam will also be sped up. Besides, the Lt Governor said a detailed report has been prepared by the Empowered Committee to find solutions to provide clean air and water to the citizens of Delhi.

"To make Delhi pollution free, suggestions given in the report, will be adopted and implemented in a mission mode, he said. Jung said that efforts are being made to keep Delhi green and according to the recent survey, there has been an increase of 3.61 kms in the forest cover of Delhi. There are about 20,000 parks and gardens in Delhi and the state government has set a target of planing 11 lakh trees with the help of citizens of Delhi, school children, resident welfare associations and NGOs.

"Delhi Government is working hard to encourage the use of alternative energy. This year, nine solar units have been set up in different parts of Delhi and 10 more will be set up in the near future," he said. To meet the increasing demands for electricity, the Lt Governor said that detailed plan has been prepared for which funds have already been allocated. Delhi Government has also decided to extend subsidy for domestic consumers.

A road map has been prepared to curb corruption and make systems more transparent and answerable, he said. Being the highest earners, Delhiites have emerged as the highest contributor to the Indian economy, Jung said. "It is pertinent to mention that Delhi has the highest per capita income in the country. Besides, there has been growth in our economy and the state income of Delhi is almost double of the national income," Jung said.

PTI