Major Reduction in Water and Sewer Charges in New Delhi Brings Relief to Residents

New Delhi, May 22: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has announced significant changes to the Infrastructure Fee Charges (IFC) related to water and sewer services, providing relief to residents.

Under the new policy, the IFC will now be based on the actual water demand. This fee will only apply to new developments or additional construction on existing properties. In cases of redevelopment where water demand does not increase, the IFC will not be charged. Furthermore, non-FAR and open areas will not be included in the IFC calculation.

Residents in E and F category colonies will receive a 50% discount on the IFC, while those in G and H category colonies will benefit from discounts of up to 70%. Additionally, the IFC will only apply to properties built on plots larger than 200 square meters. The plot size will be determined based on documents such as sale deeds, conveyance deeds, registered GPA, or agreements to sell.

The DJB has also extended significant relief to small residential units. For properties built on plots larger than 200 square meters, residential units up to 50 square meters will receive an additional 50% discount on water and sewer IFC. Institutions and religious sites registered under Section 12AB of the Income Tax Act will also enjoy the same discount. Properties with a ‘zero liquid discharge’ sewage treatment plant (STP) will receive a 50% discount on sewer IFC. However, a penalty of 0.05% per day will be imposed if the STP is found non-operational.

This new policy is set to alleviate the financial burden on residents. For example, for a four-story house on a 300 FAR plot in A and B category colonies, the IFC, which previously amounted to approximately ₹13.18 lakh, will now be reduced to around ₹5.40 lakh. In E and F category colonies, the fee will be about ₹2.70 lakh, while in G and H category colonies, it will be approximately ₹1.62 lakh.

Additionally, the DJB has awarded a contract for the installation of 12 new decentralized sewage treatment plants in the Najafgarh area. These plants will have a total capacity of 46.5 MGD, with an investment of around ₹860 crore. The capacity of the Keshopur STP will also be increased from 12 MGD to 18 MGD. Furthermore, the renovation of the old trunk sewer in Trilokpuri and the construction of new underground reservoirs and booster pumping stations in Shahdara’s Rohtas Nagar have also been approved.