The Delhi government has given residents more time to clear their pending water bills.
The water bill amnesty scheme, which was earlier set to end on January 31, has now been extended until August 15, 2026.
This move is expected to benefit thousands of households that could not use the scheme earlier or were stuck due to billing errors.
Here is what the extension means and what changes residents can expect.
Water Bill Amnesty Scheme Gets More Time
With the extended deadline, people who still have unpaid water bills can settle their dues under the amnesty scheme.
This also applies to those who were unable to correct mistakes in their bills earlier and therefore could not make payments.
According to the government, the extra time will help more consumers resolve long-pending issues and avoid unnecessary penalties.
Clearer and More Detailed Water Bills Coming Soon
Water Minister Pravesh Verma said that future water bills will be more transparent and easier to understand.
Each bill will clearly mention how much water was used, any fines applied, and the total amount payable for the month.
This step aims to reduce confusion and help consumers track their usage and charges more accurately.
Camps to Fix High Bills at the Local Level
To address complaints about unusually high bills, the Delhi Jal Board will organise camps in every area.
These camps will work like Lok Adalats, where residents can get their bills checked, corrected, and paid on the spot.
The minister also advised residents to temporarily suspend their water connections if they plan to leave their homes for several months.
If the connection remains active, the meter continues to run and the bill keeps increasing.
More Relief Measures on the Way
The Water Minister said several problems from the previous administration are still being fixed and may take time.
He also announced that a separate amnesty scheme will soon be launched for people who do not have domestic water connections.
Currently, around 14.68 lakh households with domestic connections have outstanding water bills.
So far, about 3.3 lakh consumers have benefited from the scheme, which is nearly 20 percent of the total.
With the extended deadline and upcoming reforms, the government hopes more residents will come forward and settle their water dues without stress.
