Over 1.6 Million Delhi Residents Await Relief from Inflated Water Bills—When Will the Waiver Scheme Start?

Despite a change in government and growing public pressure, more than 16 lakh (1.6 million) residents in Delhi are still waiting for relief from inflated water bills. While the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has announced a much-anticipated Water Bill Waiver Scheme, its implementation remains delayed due to internal infrastructure upgrades and administrative hurdles.

Why the Wait?

According to sources in the Delhi Jal Board, the delay is due to the ongoing revamp of the department’s IT and operational infrastructure. The Board is currently upgrading its systems from an Oracle-based platform to a cloud-based model, which promises better performance and user experience.

Alongside the software upgrade, there are also efforts to strengthen monitoring capabilities, increase staff capacity, and improve the overall efficiency of the system. These upgrades are seen as prerequisites for the successful rollout of the One-Time Amnesty Scheme, which aims to waive late payment surcharges on inflated water bills for domestic consumers.

An official stated, “Once the new cloud-based system becomes operational, we will proceed with the implementation of the waiver scheme. The government has already approved the removal of surcharges on overdue bills.”

Vacancies and Hiring Delays

The shortage of staff is another key challenge. Many posts, including those of Junior Engineers, are lying vacant in the DJB. The hiring process is currently underway and is expected to be completed by August 2026 through the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB).

In addition, the Board has finalized a proposal to set up a Project Management Unit (PMU). This unit will monitor contract timelines, payment processes, and performance metrics. The PMU's formation is expected to occur between July and October 2025, further pushing the timeline for the scheme’s rollout.

Revenue Loss and Rising Complaints

The DJB serves around 27 lakh water consumers across Delhi. Over the past few years, an estimated 16 lakh consumers have filed complaints regarding inaccurate or inflated billing. The problem has escalated to such an extent that many consumers have stopped paying their bills altogether, leading to significant revenue losses for the Jal Board.

In October 2022 alone, the DJB’s complaint portal registered over 10,000 grievances related to incorrect billing. A similar water bill waiver initiative was also proposed during the tenure of the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government but was never implemented.

What’s Next for Consumers?

While the DJB has approved the waiver of surcharges on delayed bill payments, the timeline for the actual rollout of the waiver scheme remains uncertain. The department is still in the process of:

• Completing the cloud-based system migration

• Finalizing PMU contracts

• Appointing new technical staff

• Conducting rate audits through third-party verification

Until these steps are completed, Delhi’s residents—especially the 16 lakh affected consumers—will have to continue waiting for the financial relief they were promised.

Conclusion: When Will Relief Arrive?

The Delhi Water Bill Waiver Scheme offers hope to lakhs of residents burdened by faulty billing. However, unless the DJB accelerates its infrastructure upgrades and fills key vacancies, the wait could stretch well into late 2025 or early 2026. With public frustration mounting, timely action will be critical in restoring trust and ensuring fair access to essential utilities.