Media reports suggesting that daily production and supply of water by Delhi Jal Board has come down substantially are not “supported by facts”, said the Delhi water body refuting the claims.

“Such apprehensions and reports are devoid of any merit and not supported by facts or data. DJB categorically states that is no shortfall or reduction in the supply of water by DJB and optimum quantum of water is produced (from water, treatment plants and borewells) daily and supplied to the people of Delhi through piped network and through adequate number of tankers at the critical areas,” said the Jal Board.

The agency cited data saying that the average production and supply of water during March 24-April 2 is 990.18 million Gallons/day (MGD) which is far better than 967.46 MGD produced and supplied last year during the same period.

“DJB assures the people of Delhi that focused attention is given continuously for the production and supply of water to the people of Delhi,” the Delhi agency said in a statement, adding that it is geared up to meet the demand in the upcoming summer season.

It further said that “action has also been initiated” to address the long-standing problem of high ammonia content in raw water (which has been affecting the optimum production of water, occasionally) through an appropriate technological intervention.

Earlier today, Delhi Water Minister Atishi directed the Delhi chief secretary to reassess the water supply in the city and submit a report detailing an action plan to mitigate the shortage in the identified areas, an official order said.

Atishi released a list of areas from where she has received frequent complaints of water shortage, directing the chief secretary to take action.

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday skipped the ED summons in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also termed the summons “illegal” and accused the BJP government at the Centre of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target Kejriwal.

The ED had summoned Mr Kejriwal for questioning on Monday 18 in a money laundering probe linked to alleged irregularities in the DJB. This is the second case registered under the anti-money laundering law in which the 55-year-old politician, also the AAP national convenor, has been summoned.

He is already facing summons for questioning in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. Mr Kejriwal has skipped eight summonses in this case till now, terming them illegal.

A fresh and ninth such notice in the excise policy case stipulates him to appear before an ED investigating officer on March 21.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Efforts are on to rescue a man who has fallen into a 40-foot-deep borewell at a Delhi Jal Board treatment plant in Keshopur Mandi area late last night. Four engines of the Delhi Fire Services are at the spot while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) leads the rescue operation.

NDRF has failed to get any breakthrough using torches, lights, and cameras, and is now digging another borewell parallel to the one in which the child has fallen. The authorities have brought in an excavator for this purpose.

Authorities were alerted at 1 am that a child had fallen into the borewell in Keshopur, but it later emerged that it is a man trapped inside. His identity is yet to be ascertained.

Kamaljit Sehrawat, BJP candidate from West Delhi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, has accused the Delhi Jal Board of negligence. “If there was barricading, the child would not have fallen down. Atishi will come out and give false consolation. Norms should be strictly followed,” said Ms Sehrawat.

The AAP government has hinted at foul play since the borewell is only of 12-inch diameter.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi, who reached the treatment plant in the morning, said the borewell was in a locked room and clarified it wasn’t a child, but an adult who is trapped inside

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal shared Atishi’s post and said, “Water Minister Atishi took stock of the situation. It was revealed that the borewell was inside a room locked with a lock and key. Delhi Police is investigating the entire incident. DJB has also been ordered to investigate.”

He said strict action will be taken against the responsible officer and all abandoned government and private borewells will be sealed within 48 hours.