Upgrading Delhi's water utility software to facilitate a leniency period for overdue water bills
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is in the final stages of hiring a new service provider to manage and upgrade its outdated revenue management system, with a focus on shifting to a cloud-based system. This move is crucial for enabling the implementation of a bill amnesty scheme and addressing issues caused by the current system, which has been a hindrance in implementing surcharges and bill payment reforms.
The bidding process, which commenced earlier, is expected to be completed by next week, with bids scheduled to be opened on August 18, 2025. The new operator, yet to be named publicly, will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the upgraded Revenue Management System 2.0 and will oversee the smooth transition from the current physical infrastructure to cloud infrastructure over the course of a one-year contract.
During this transition period, the new service provider will also manage servers, databases, and the DJB website and mobile phone app. The migration to cloud infrastructure will be implemented without disruption of billing cycles, collection, or citizen services.
The upgrade is essential for implementing the bill amnesty scheme, particularly to address issues caused by the outdated revenue system. The government has given in-principle approval to waive 100% of the late payment surcharge (LPSC) on all pending water bills for domestic users. However, a decision on the pendency from commercial users, which form the bulk of the bill pendency, has not been taken yet.
The DJB has a bill pendency of around ₹15,000 crore from domestic users. The new service provider will be given three months to acquire complete knowledge and understanding of business processes. Upon completion of the transition, the new system will incorporate rebate and schemes in the Revenue Management System (RMS).
Water minister Parvesh Verma announced that the implementation of a bill waiver scheme is likely to take time as significant upgrades are required to the outdated DJB revenue software. The current revenue management system of the DJB is in physical form, and this upgrade marks a significant step towards digitalising the Board's operations.
This news comes as a relief for DJB users who have been facing issues with billing and metering. The new service provider is expected to streamline these processes and ensure smooth operations, providing a more efficient and user-friendly experience for all.
- The government's focus on improving India's infrastructure extends to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), as they seek to hire a new service provider to modernize their outdated revenue management system.
- In the aftermath of the elections, the upcoming shift in the DJB's revenue management system from physical to cloud infrastructure reflects India's commitment to advancing business and technological sectors, particularly in areas like water management.
- As the DJB embarks on its plan to streamline billing processes and minimize disruptions for users, careful consideration needs to be given to commercial users, who account for a substantial portion of the bill pendency, during the implementation of the bill amnesty scheme.
