The Delhi government has launched a significant relief initiative for residents facing challenges with overdue water bills, providing full and partial waivers on late payment fees. Under the new program, the government has eliminated the 100% penalty, known as the Late Payment Service Charge (LPSC), on all outstanding bills. Customers who settle their dues by January 31, 2026, will receive a complete waiver on penalties, while those who pay by March 31, 2026, will still enjoy a 70% waiver. Officials reported that the total outstanding amount owed to the Delhi Jal Board currently exceeds ₹87,589 crore. This measure, which has been anticipated by residents, is expected to significantly alleviate the financial strain on countless consumers throughout the city.
In addition to waiving penalties, the government has reduced the interest rate for late bill payments from 5% to 2%. Officials explained that under the previous system, a bill of ₹100 could increase to ₹178 in just one billing cycle due to compounding charges. The relief program, set to begin next month, will be available to both domestic and government consumers, with a separate plan for commercial users under consideration, although they will not qualify for a complete waiver.