New Delhi, June 24: The Delhi Government has claimed a new milestone in water distribution, announcing a record increase in tanker-based water supply across the national capital. However, the figures have also triggered questions over whether growing dependence on water tankers reflects success or a continuing failure to provide permanent piped water infrastructure.
According to data released by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the number of active water tankers operating daily increased from 726 in May 2025 to 1,098 in May 2026, an increase of 372 tankers.
The DJB also reported a sharp rise in tanker trips, with 1,88,618 trips recorded in May 2026, compared to 1,06,501 trips in May 2025. This represents an increase of 82,117 tanker trips in a single year.
Officials said the expansion was aimed at ensuring water availability in areas facing shortages and improving service delivery through real-time tracking and monitoring systems.
The tanker fleet currently consists of 1,188 vehicles, including 1,083 hired tankers and 101 departmental tankers, according to the figures released by the utility.
While the government described the increase as a major achievement in public service delivery, critics argue that a rising number of tanker trips points to the continued dependence of many neighbourhoods on emergency water supply instead of reliable household connections.
Urban planning experts have repeatedly maintained that tanker supply should remain a temporary solution during peak summer months and emergencies, while long-term investments in pipelines, storage infrastructure, leak reduction and water resource management are required to ensure sustainable water security.
The latest figures indicate that Delhi’s tanker operations have expanded significantly over the past year. The debate, however, remains whether the growing numbers should be viewed as an administrative achievement or as evidence that thousands of residents are still waiting for dependable, round-the-clock piped water supply.
