On Wednesday, Delhi’s CM Rekha Gupta opened a water ATM in an unapproved settlement in Shalimar Bagh and promised easier access to drinking water and a renewed emphasis on housing for those in jhuggis. She added that the government is working all the time to get to every home.
At the opening, Gupta described the new ATM as a really important step for people in the area, who often have a water supply that’s irregular. She said opening it is part of a larger push to make life better in unapproved settlements, along with the other building work that was announced at the location.
Water ATM inaugurated in Shalimar Bagh
The Chief Minister revealed a large water ATM, something new for that area. It’s meant to give out cold, clean, purified water, and each person can get 30 litres a day.
Gupta said to the people there, “This is a large water ATM of its kind and will provide 30 litres of cold, purified drinking water daily. Today you have a government that’s starting many projects to develop unauthorized colonies and jhuggis.”
CSR-backed rollout across the constituency
Gupta said about eight water ATMs have been put in around Shalimar Bagh. She explained that these are part of Indian Oil Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.
24×7 drinking water promise
Gupta stated the government is working constantly, 24/7, to get safe drinking water to all Delhi residents. She said the water ATMs are one part of a broader attempt to make the water supply more dependable and better in all neighborhoods.
She made these main points at the event:
– The government is working 24/7 to provide drinking water
– A first-of-its-kind large water ATM has been launched
– 30 litres of purified water per person per day
– Eight water ATMs are funded by Indian Oil Company’s CSR program.
Push for pucca homes in jhuggi clusters
The Chief Minister also talked about housing, saying the goal is to give people in jhuggis in unapproved areas strong, permanent homes. She really stressed that she will continue to work on this.
“Eventually, everyone living in a jhuggi in Delhi will have a permanent house. I will work on this without stopping. There are around 700 jhuggi clusters in Delhi and a huge number of people live in them,” she said, showing how big the problem is.
Appeal to avoid new jhuggis on roads
Gupta asked the residents to not build any new jhuggis that block the roads and cause trouble for others. As building work begins in crowded areas, she asked for people in the community to work together.
These announcements show that a combined approach is being used to improve water access and housing in Shalimar Bagh and similar areas. Gupta said she will keep on expanding services in unauthorized colonies and the water ATMs are intended to quickly help with the drinking water problem.
