Vice-Chairman of Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Raghav Chadha met with Hardeep Puri,  Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and requested him to intervene in recoveing exorbitant arrears due worth Rs 216 crore from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Delhi Development Authority towards the DDA.

Chadha apprised the Central Minister of how the Board is planning to expand its operations and to bring some vast technological advancements and changes in the current structure of water supply as well as water management, which require proper flow of finances.

As a result, releasing the dues owed to DJB would go a long way in meeting with relevant necessary expenditure.

The Vice-Chairman had earlier said that around seven government agencies had not paid their long-pending dues to the DJB, the CPWD and DDA had cleared dues up to Rs 102 crore. However, CPWD still owes Rs 110 Cr and DDA owes Rs 106 Crore to the Board.

"While it is commendable how all government departments have come together to fight COVID-19, we cannot overlook the paucity of funds, which is a huge challenge for those every government departments. If the DJB gets its dues from CPWD and DDA, we can perhaps cross one tiny hill," he said.

Chadha also informed the Union Minister of financially precarious situation the DJB is in resulted in delay in carrying out developmental works.

"I am glad that the Minister gave us time and patiently heard us out and assured us of his help. I am certain that DJB will now be able to recover its relevant dues and begin the several projects that are in the pipeline," he said.