Residents of several areas in South Delhi will experience a significant disruption in water supply on September 18, 2024, as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has announced a 12-hour water cut due to essential maintenance work. The affected areas include prominent neighbourhoods such as Green Park, Safdarjung Enclave, Hauz Khas, Munirka, Kishangarh, Mehrauli, and key institutions like AIIMS, IIT, and Safdarjung Hospital.
According to the DJB, this temporary disruption is necessitated by the installation of a 500 mm diameter flowmeter at the Deer Park Booster Pumping Station (BPS), which feeds water to DDA flats in Munirka. The water supply from the 600 mm outlet line of the Deer Park BPS will be halted from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on September 18. The DJB has also cautioned that the supply will likely be disrupted in the morning of September 19 as well.
Impact on Key Areas and Residents’ Preparedness With South Delhi being one of the most densely populated and crucial zones in the city, this water disruption could affect thousands of residents, especially those living in the Green Park, Safdarjung Enclave, and Hauz Khas areas, where daily water consumption is significantly high due to residential and commercial activities. Additionally, prominent healthcare institutions such as AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital may face challenges in managing patient care without a steady water supply. The water cut may also impact educational institutions like IIT Delhi, which hosts thousands of students, faculty, and staff, along with the neighbouring commercial and residential zones. The affected areas are advised to prepare in advance, with DJB urging residents to use water judiciously during the maintenance window.
Infrastructure Improvements and Comparisons The installation of the new flowmeter at Deer Park BPS is part of DJB’s ongoing efforts to enhance Delhi’s water infrastructure and improve the efficiency of water supply management across the city. This move comes after several instances of water shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks that have impacted the capital in recent years. Comparatively, cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru have also undertaken similar large-scale infrastructure projects to improve their water management systems, especially during critical maintenance windows.
Mitigating Public Inconvenience The DJB has expressed its commitment to minimising the inconvenience caused by the temporary disruption and has made provisions for water tankers to be made available on demand. Residents in the affected areas can contact the DJB helpline or the central control room to request tanker services. The DJB has also apologised for the inconvenience, emphasising that the maintenance work is essential to ensure long-term water supply efficiency. While such disruptions are always inconvenient, they reflect the growing need for urban infrastructure upgrades in cities like Delhi. The water supply system in the capital, which serves over 20 million people, often faces strain due to rapid urbanisation, ageing pipelines, and increasing demand. As such, maintenance projects like the one at Okkiyam Maduvu are crucial to modernising the infrastructure and preventing future issues.
Preparing for the Disruption In light of the impending water cut, residents and businesses are advised to plan accordingly, ensuring they have sufficient water storage to last through the 12-hour disruption and the residual effects the following morning. The DJB has recommended that water usage be limited to essential needs during the maintenance period to prevent additional strain on the water supply network. This maintenance initiative highlights the importance of balancing infrastructural improvements with public convenience, ensuring that vital services such as water remain uninterrupted, even during necessary upgrades. With growing demand and limited resources, cities like Delhi must continue to invest in modernising their water supply systems to prevent longer-term disruptions and ensure sustainability.
