In response to mounting concerns over the proliferation of illegal water tankers operating in Delhi, the Directorate of Vigilance has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) procurement and utilization of water carriers over the past five years. The move comes amid allegations of private entities engaging in illicit water trade, exploiting the city’s water scarcity for financial gain.
Special Secretary (Vigilance) YVVJ Rajasekhar has formally requested DJB’s Chief Executive Officer to furnish detailed records regarding the operation of water tankers under their purview. The directive specifically seeks information on the suppliers responsible for providing tankers on hire, including details of companies and their proprietors. Additionally, the vigilance department seeks data on the duration of deployment, sources of water filling, number of tankers deployed annually, and the corresponding volume of water distributed. Transparency in financial transactions, including payments made to tanker owners, is also under scrutiny.
“This information must be provided by DJB by June 14, with a deadline no later than June 17, along with copies of contractual agreements with the suppliers,” asserted the vigilance officer in the official communication.
According to recent disclosures from the Delhi government, the deployment of DJB-managed water tankers has exhibited fluctuations, with figures escalating from 888 tankers in January to 1,211 by June, underscoring the agency’s reliance on these resources to meet escalating water demands.
Insiders suggest that the data requisitioned by the vigilance directorate is pivotal in unraveling the complexities of the tanker industry, shedding light on operational dynamics and potential complicity of clandestine actors, commonly referred to as the ‘water mafia’. This clandestine network allegedly orchestrates unauthorized water extraction and subsequent sale at inflated prices, exacerbating the city’s water crisis.
The vigilance probe underscores a concerted effort to enforce regulatory compliance and enhance accountability within DJB’s operational framework. By scrutinizing historical trends and contractual engagements, authorities aim to fortify governance mechanisms, preempt illicit practices, and safeguard public resources against exploitation.
The outcome of the investigation is anticipated to provide critical insights into regulatory gaps and systemic vulnerabilities, paving the way for enhanced policy interventions aimed at curbing illicit water trade and ensuring equitable access to water resources across Delhi.
