A large swathe of Delhi is expected to face water shortages or low-pressure supply as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) undertakes critical maintenance works between May 31 and June 1, raising concerns among residents already grappling with intense summer heat and rising water demand.
According to officials, two major repair and upgrade operations will be carried out in South and Central Delhi. The Jal Board, in its public notice, confirmed a planned shutdown that will affect the functioning of key water pipelines and disrupt distribution for up to 24 hours in several areas. These operations are part of an ongoing infrastructural strengthening programme aimed at improving long-term water delivery efficiency, especially ahead of the monsoon season. In South Delhi, the DJB will be interconnecting a newly installed 1,000 mm diameter pipeline at three key locations: within the Deer Park pumping station, near the 11 T Gate No. 2 on Aurobindo Marg, and adjacent to the PWD store on Aurobindo Marg. These works are intended to enhance supply reliability across high-density residential pockets, many of which have long depended on ageing infrastructure.
Officials noted that as a result of the shutdown, localities including Mehrauli township, Sarvapriya Vihar, Begumpur, Kalu Sarai, Sarvodya Enclave, Vijay Mandal DDA Flats, Azad Apartment, Adhchini, Katwaria Sarai, Qutub Institutional Area, and surrounding zones will receive water at significantly reduced pressure starting from the evening of May 31 through the morning of June 1. In a parallel development, the DJB will also undertake civil works to address urban flooding challenges under the Tilak Bridge near the ITO area. A 900 mm Kilokari main pipeline, which currently obstructs water flow in Drain No. 12 near Hans Bhawan, has been identified for elevation. The drainage issue has been a chronic concern in the monsoon season, often resulting in hazardous flooding near high-traffic intersections and government precincts.
The shutdown for this repair will commence at 5 PM on May 31, with a full cessation of supply from the primary water plant for a 24-hour window. This will impact water availability in Majnu ka Tilla, Rajghat, the Vidhan Sabha precinct, NDMC zones, CGO Complex, Nizamuddin, Defence Colony, South Extension and surrounding localities. While the DJB maintains that these interventions are essential to preventing long-term service disruptions and managing monsoon flood risk, the timing has triggered unease among urban planning experts and citizen groups. Many point to a lack of early public outreach and contingency planning by the civic body, especially given the current heatwave conditions and the high dependency on water tankers in under-served areas.
Infrastructure experts acknowledged the DJB’s objective to strengthen urban water resilience but cautioned that greater coordination with disaster management units and resident welfare associations could minimise disruption. Some environmental groups argue that a more decentralised, sustainable water system — including community-level rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling — could lessen pressure on legacy pipelines and reduce the need for such widespread shutdowns. Meanwhile, city-based climate action advocates stressed that infrastructure modernisation must be synchronised with climate adaptation efforts, especially as Delhi continues to face erratic weather events and severe urban flooding episodes each monsoon.
Despite the scheduled nature of the repair works, the sudden impact on lakhs of residents is also likely to affect commercial and institutional establishments. In particular, offices in and around Central Delhi may face operational challenges due to the temporary disruption in water supply. Officials have advised residents in affected areas to store adequate water in advance and use it judiciously during the maintenance window. Water tankers are expected to be deployed by the DJB as an interim measure, though logistical constraints and high demand could limit their timely availability.
As Delhi navigates the dual challenge of summer water scarcity and monsoon infrastructure upgrades, the present episode underscores the urgency of investing in smarter, decentralised urban water systems and proactive citizen communication. The broader goal remains to build a resilient, sustainable capital city — one where basic services like water are shielded from the compounding shocks of climate, ageing infrastructure, and administrative lag.
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