In a move to fast-track the cleaning of the Yamuna river and rejuvenate and boost drinking water supply, the Rekha Gupta Government has empowered the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) with increased financial autonomy, requiring no cabinet approvals for clearing projects worth `50 crore.
The DJB will now be able to independently execute projects worth crores of rupees for which no cabinet approval will be required for spending from budget allocations, according to a statement issued by the Delhi Government.
The DJB has been authorised to sanction all projects with an estimated cost of more than `50 crore independently, the statement said.
Also, under the revised provisions, the DJB chairperson can approve projects worth up to `50 crore, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) up to `25 crore and senior Board members (Admin/Water Supply/Drainage) up to `5 crore, it said.
This will lead to better decision-making at every level of the board and reduce unnecessary delays in execution, the statement said.
This decision is aimed at quickly cleaning the Yamuna River, setting up modern treatment plants for dirty drains, and ensuring regular clean drinking water for the people of Delhi.
Under the new system, the DJB will be able to swiftly lay new pipelines, construct booster pumping stations and establish other infrastructure for water supply.
This will significantly improve drinking water distribution and provide early relief to residents, it said.
Calling the move a major reform, the chief minister said the goal is clear — to clean the Yamuna, stop dirty drains from polluting it, and improve water supply. She said many plans to clean the river had failed earlier because of slow approval systems. “That problem has now been solved,” she said. “We want to give results, not just paperwork.”
The Chief Minister said the DJB will no longer have to wait for Cabinet approval for projects worth crores of rupees.
This decision to enhance the financial powers of the Board is not just an administrative reform but a revolutionary step towards making governance faster, more responsive, and result-oriented, she said.
The erstwhile Arvind Kejriwal Government in Delhi had tightened control over the financial and administrative functioning of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) during 2021–22. Despite being an autonomous body, the DJB was required to seek approval from the Delhi Cabinet for major financial decisions during that period.
Calling the decision an example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’, CM Gupta said on X, “The Delhi government has taken a historic step today by granting the Delhi Jal Board real authority to make decisions and complete tasks.”
She said, “Now, this institution has truly become autonomous and capable. The DJB will now independently approve and implement all projects related to the cleaning of the Yamuna, treatment of drains, and drinking water systems.”
“This will enhance decision-making capacity at every level, reduce delays in work, and make the system more transparent and accountable. This is a strong beginning to bring the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji’s ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ to reality in Delhi,” she wrote on X.
She further informed that wherever Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and infrastructure is needed for sewer cleaning, same will now be rapidly installed. Under the new system, the DJB will also be able to swiftly lay new pipelines, construct booster pumping stations, and establish other infrastructure for water supply. This will significantly improve drinking water distribution and provide early relief to residents.
