DJB increases number of water tanker trips by 80k this year

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has increased water tanker trips by 82,117 this year compared to last year in the city, officials said on Saturday.

Usually, water tankers are deployed in areas where the DJB cannot supply water through a pipeline, but in water emergencies, they are also deployed.

“While 1,06,501 tanker trips were recorded in May 2025, this number rose to 1,88,618 tanker trips in May 2026,” a DJB officer said.

Additionally, the average number of water tankers in service daily increased from 726 in May 2025 to 1,098 in May 2026, he said.

“More than 372 additional water tankers have been continuously engaged in water services compared to the previous year,” he said.

Officials said, this year, small tankers have also been deployed to ensure water supply in densely populated areas and narrow lanes.

To meet peak water demand in the summer season, the Delhi government rolls out its annual summer action plan, setting a water production target of 1002 million gallons per day for this year.

According to the latest Economic Survey, Delhi has a daily water requirement of 1,290 MGD, whereas the DJB only produces between 990 and 1,000 MGD.

This leaves the capital with a persistent demand-supply gap of around 290 MGD, with residents complaining of water shortage in some parts of the national Capital.

Also, the DJB’s two major water treatment plants at Wazirabad and Chandrawal were severely affected due to a reduction in water supply from the neighbouring state of Haryana.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had even requested 1,000 cusecs of water from the state to address the water shortage.

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