New Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant to be commissioned in 2026: Chief Minister Rekha Gupta

New plant to supply 105 MGD of water at a cost of ₹599 crore: CM Rekha Gupta

Project gains momentum after years of delay; leakage and technical losses to be reduced

Project faced prolonged delays earlier, leading to cost escalation

New Delhi, February 2026 : The Delhi Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, is taking sustained and forward-looking measures to strengthen water management in the national capital and to effectively curb water wastage. As part of these efforts, a new state-of-the-art 105 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant is being constructed at Chandrawal at a cost of ₹599 crore and is expected to be commissioned in 2026.

The project, originally approved in 2012, witnessed prolonged delays due to negligence and lack of effective execution during the previous government’s tenure. Owing to repeated cancellations of tenders and non-compliance with the guidelines of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project remained stalled for several years, resulting in a sharp cost escalation of nearly ₹400 crore.

To ensure preparedness ahead of the upcoming summer season, the Chief Minister on Monday chaired a review meeting of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) at the Delhi Secretariat. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Water, Shri Pravesh Sahib Singh, along with senior officials of the department.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister stated that the commissioning of the Chandrawal water treatment plant would significantly strengthen Delhi’s water supply infrastructure. The project will cover an area of approximately 92 square kilometres, accounting for about 6.20 per cent of Delhi’s total geographical area. Upon completion, it is expected to substantially reduce water leakage and technical losses, thereby improving the quality and reliability of the water supply and ensuring the availability of clean drinking water to residents.

Pipelines to be Replaced at a Cost of Several Crore Rupees

As part of the project, water supply and distribution pipelines leading to households are also being replaced at a cost of ₹1,331 crore. Of the three distribution projects: West Chandrawal, East Chandrawal, and Central Chandrawal two have already been awarded. These pipelines will be laid across areas in nine Assembly constituencies, covering key localities such as Karol Bagh, Civil Lines, Kamla Nagar, Malka Ganj, Shadipur, Patel Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Naraina, Zakhira, New Rajendra Nagar, Hindu Rao, Idgah, Jhandewalan, Ridge Road, Ramlila Ground and Subhash Park.

The project also includes strengthening of underground reservoirs (UGRs), installation of water meters, prevention of contamination, and establishment of grievance redressal centres. The target is to reduce non-revenue water from 30-45 per cent to below 15 per cent within three years. Maintenance of the replaced pipelines will be undertaken under a 12-year agreement, at a separate cost.

Chandrawal Plant to Supply Water to a Large Part of Delhi

The Chandrawal water treatment plant project will cover around 11 per cent of Delhi’s population. The project aims to strengthen the water supply in Assembly constituencies including Model Town, Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Matia Mahal, Ballimaran, Karol Bagh, Patel Nagar, Rajinder Nagar and R.K. Puram. These densely populated areas have long been facing issues related to water availability and pressure.

Project approved in 2012 but fell victim to negligence

The Chandrawal water treatment plant project was approved in 2012, but its implementation was delayed for a prolonged period. During the tenure of the previous government, tenders were repeatedly cancelled and reissued, preventing the project from progressing.

Additionally, inadequate compliance with the guidelines of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led to delays in funding. Consequently, the project cost escalated significantly. Under the present government, through close coordination with JICA and the Government of India, additional budgetary support and resolution of technical bottlenecks, the Chandrawal water treatment plant project has now gained renewed momentum and is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing Delhi’s overall water supply system.