SOURCE ; NEW18
Last Updated:May 14, 2025, 23:58 IST
Several big commercial players in Delhi have been using water without declaring their consumption or paying the appropriate charges, sources said
In a statement, the government explained that all major private commercial units will be evaluated on the basis of the sewage they release. (PTI file photo)
The Delhi government on Wednesday took a strong step to check the misuse of the city’s water resources. Water minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma announced that all hotels, banquet halls, shopping malls, private hospitals, and other large commercial establishments in the city will now be billed based on the amount of sewage they discharge instead of traditional water meter readings.
The minister said the government has no accurate data on the water consumption of many of these commercial entities, and a number of these establishments do not have legal water connections or functional meters, yet they continue to discharge massive volumes of sewage every day.
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This has led to a significant loss of revenue for the government and unchecked exploitation of public water.
“Every drop will now be accounted for. The more sewage you release, the more you will pay for water. The free ride for those making crores using public resources is over,” the minister said.
In a statement, the government explained that all major private commercial units will be evaluated on the basis of the sewage they release. Water usage will be calculated backwards using sewage output data.
“Any establishment without a functional water meter or unable to prove the source of water will be charged based on its sewage discharge. This approach will enable the government to curb water theft and recover lost revenue running into hundreds of crores. Records will be cross-verified with sewage treatment data and commercial licensing information,” the statement reads.
The reforms were necessary, as for years, several big commercial players in Delhi have been using water without declaring their consumption or paying the appropriate charges, sources said.
Despite visible sewage discharge, there are no matching water bills, indicating either illegal sourcing or complete bypassing of official supply systems, they added.
“This is not a tax. It’s a question of responsibility. You cannot run massive profit-making operations on free public water and give nothing back. That will not be tolerated anymore,” the minister warned.
The initiative is solely aimed at commercial violators, and there will be no impact on domestic users, including residents, low-income households, or slum dwellers.
“The policy is designed to make only profiteering institutions accountable,” the statement added.
- First Published:
May 14, 2025, 23:58 IST
