In a significant push to modernise civic infrastructure in the heart of the national capital, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to strengthen electricity and water supply systems in the New Delhi area, aligning its efforts with the Centre’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Addressing a press briefing at Palika Kendra on Thursday, NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal outlined a series of high-impact proposals that are set to be placed before the forthcoming Council meeting. The initiatives, he said, are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted, safe and future-ready civic services in one of India’s most strategically important urban zones.
Power Infrastructure: Moving Away from Obsolete Systems
At the core of NDMC’s power reforms lies the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) of the Government of India. Under the scheme, NDMC has initiated a comprehensive revamp of its ageing power distribution network, parts of which date back to the pre-Independence era.
“Several HT and LT panels, along with three 30 MVA transformers, have outlived their service life and are under immense operational stress,” Chahal said, warning that delays in replacement could lead to prolonged outages in the NDMC area.
The stakes are particularly high given that the NDMC jurisdiction includes Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Prime Minister’s Office, central ministries, foreign embassies and other key institutions, making uninterrupted power supply a non-negotiable requirement.
Replacement of 11 kV Panels a Priority
One of the most critical proposals involves replacing 829 outdated 11 kV HT panels under Phase-I of the loss-reduction programme. NDMC currently operates nearly 4,400 HT panels, many of which rely on Bulk Oil Circuit Breaker (BOCB) technology—now considered obsolete and unsafe.
“These panels are nearly 45 years old, far beyond their ideal lifespan of 25–30 years,” Chahal noted. They will be replaced with modern Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), which is compact, environmentally friendly and significantly safer.
The project will follow a 60:40 funding pattern, with the Ministry of Power contributing 60 per cent and NDMC bearing the remaining cost. The work will be awarded to the L-1 bidder following Council approval.
SCADA, Smart Metering and System Monitoring
NDMC is also set to take a major leap in digital monitoring with the proposed SCADA/DMS and system metering project, aimed at real-time supervision and efficient management of the electricity network. The project has already received approval from the Ministry of Power and follows the same 60:40 funding model.
Earlier, the Council had approved the appointment of M/s Rodic Consultants Pvt. Ltd. as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for RDSS works, further strengthening implementation oversight.
Water Supply: 24×7 Control Room and New Tankers
On the water front, NDMC plans to establish a 24×7 Water Supply Control Room at Old R.K. Ashram Marg. The proposed single-storey RCC facility will include an underground water tank of 1 lakh litre capacity and is estimated to cost ₹5.24 crore.
“This control room will significantly reduce response time to complaints and ensure equitable water distribution, even during reduced supply from DJB,” Chahal said.
To bolster emergency response, NDMC currently operates 23 water trolleys, while 12 new 9 KL water tankers are being procured through the GeM portal. Additionally, eight 10 KL tankers are being run on a rental basis.
Pandara Road Pipeline Overhaul
Addressing long-standing complaints from the Pandara Road area, NDMC has proposed replacing old Cast Iron (C.I.) pipelines with Ductile Iron (D.I.) pipelines at a cost of ₹8.01 crore. The area has witnessed repeated issues of contaminated water, leakages and pipe bursts.
Once completed, the project is expected to modernise the entire water supply network in the locality, ensuring clean water, reduced wastage and relief from recurring disruptions.
Consensus and Commitment
Concluding the briefing, Chahal expressed confidence that all proposals would be passed with consensus in the upcoming Council meeting. “These initiatives reflect NDMC’s commitment to delivering modern, reliable and citizen-centric services, fully aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047,” he said.
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