A pollution spike in raw water drawn from the Yamuna has forced the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant to reduce production, disrupting supplies across several central Delhi neighbourhoods, including Golf Links, Khan Market and Lodhi Estate, according to a report by the Times of India.
The disruption affects areas under the New Delhi Municipal Council, with the council identifying a number of localities where water supply has been impacted. The affected areas include Bharti Nagar, Golf Links, Lodhi Estate, Khan Market, Rabindra Nagar, parts of Lodhi Road, the High Court area, Bapa Nagar, parts of Pandara Road and Pandara Park, Jor Bagh and parts of Lodhi Colony.
The NDMC also listed BK Dutt Colony, Amrita Shergil Marg, parts of Janpath, Aliganj and parts of Prithviraj Road among the affected locations. The council shared the information on X while notifying residents about the supply disruption.
The Sonia Vihar plant draws raw water from the Yamuna for treatment and distribution. The report said that a sudden increase in pollution levels in the raw water led to the curtailment of water production at the facility. The reduction has consequently affected supplies in parts of the capital that depend on the plant’s output.
The incident highlights the operational link between the condition of the Yamuna and Delhi’s treated-water network. Pollution in the river is not only an environmental concern; when the quality of raw water deteriorates, treatment operations can also be affected, creating an immediate service issue for households and institutions connected to the supply system.
The disruption spans residential colonies, government and institutional areas, major roads and commercial locations. Areas named by the NDMC include Khan Market, the High Court vicinity and parts of Janpath, alongside residential neighbourhoods such as Jor Bagh, Rabindra Nagar and Lodhi Colony.
The report did not provide details on the duration of the curtailed production, the precise pollutants responsible for the spike, or a restoration timeline. It also did not specify whether alternative supply arrangements had been announced for the affected areas. Further updates from the NDMC and the water-treatment authorities will determine when normal production and supply are expected to resume.
