My DJB water bill seems very high and I suspect the meter was not read. Can RTI help?

Yes. You can file an RTI asking for the actual meter reading recorded for the billing period, the rate category applied, and whether any estimated or average billing was used. DJB is required to read meters periodically. If estimated billing was applied, you can ask for the basis and the applicable DJB tariff order. This gives you the written basis to formally dispute the bill.

I applied for a new water connection months ago. Can RTI tell me what is happening?

Yes. File an RTI with DJB asking for the date your application was received, its current processing stage, the name of the officer responsible, and DJB's standard timeline for issuing connections in your area. This creates a formal record of the delay and often accelerates the process.

Can I file RTI if DJB is not supplying water regularly in my area?

Yes. You can file an RTI asking for the supply schedule for your area, details of any ongoing maintenance or shortage, and the action taken on any complaint you have already registered. However, RTI is most effective for getting written documentation; for urgent supply issues, simultaneously raising a complaint with DJB's helpline or the Chief Minister's Helpline (1031) is advisable.

Which DJB office should I file the RTI with?

DJB has a headquarters and multiple zonal offices. For most billing and connection matters, file with the DJB Zonal Revenue Officer or the DJB office serving your area. On the Delhi RTI portal, select 'Delhi Jal Board' and then the relevant zonal office if the option is available, or file with the DJB head office.

What if Delhi Jal Board does not respond within 30 days?

File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority at DJB within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. If the FAA's response is absent or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. The DIC is Delhi's State Information Commission under Section 15 of the RTI Act 2005.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with Delhi Jal Board (Water Connection, Billing, Complaints)

Delhi State

How to File RTI with Delhi Jal Board (Water Connection, Billing, Complaints)

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI application with the Delhi Jal Board for new water or sewer connection delays, inflated water bills, and unresolved complaints. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryGovernment of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD)

Address RTI ToPublic Information Officer (PIO) / CPIO, Delhi Jal Board

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rti.delhi.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is a statutory body of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, responsible for the supply of potable water, treatment of wastewater, and maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure across Delhi. DJB is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Citizens commonly use RTI against DJB to dispute inflated water bills, track new water or sewer connection applications, and get written responses on unresolved supply and leakage complaints.

What Can You Achieve with an RTI to Delhi Jal Board?

Get the meter reading and rate basis for a disputed water bill
Know whether estimated or average billing was applied instead of actual meter reading, and the basis for it
Track the current status of a new water or sewer connection application with the officer responsible
Get the action taken on a registered complaint — leakage, irregular supply, contaminated water
Obtain information about pending dues or disputes on a property before purchase or transfer
Know the water supply schedule for your area and any planned maintenance or cut-offs

Where to File: The Right Authority

DJB operates through a headquarters (Varunalaya Phase II, Karol Bagh) and multiple zonal offices across Delhi. For billing disputes and connection matters, file with the zonal office serving your area.

On the Delhi RTI portal at rti.delhi.gov.in, select Delhi Jal Board and the relevant zonal office.

How to File: Step by Step

Step 1: Gather Your Details

Your consumer account number (printed on your DJB water bill)
Your application reference number (for new connection requests)
Your complaint reference number if you have already raised a complaint
The billing period in dispute (for billing RTIs)
Your property address with full pin code

Step 2: Draft Your Application

Specify whether your query is about billing, a new connection, or a complaint, and ask precise questions about each. The sample draft covers all three scenarios — use only the questions relevant to your situation.

Step 3: File Online

File at rti.delhi.gov.in and pay ₹10 online. Alternatively, submit in person or by post at the DJB Zonal Office or the DJB Head Office.

Step 4: Appeals

If there is no response within 30 days, or the response is unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority at DJB within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day period, whichever is applicable. For a Second Appeal, approach the Delhi Information Commission (DIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days.

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Billing dispute:

Meter reading recorded for the billing period Month/Year and the date of meter reading
Rate category applied to consumer account XXX and the applicable DJB tariff order
Whether estimated or flat-rate billing was applied in the last N billing cycles and the basis

New connection:

Date of receipt of connection application Ref. No. and its current processing stage
Officer responsible and expected date of connection as per DJB's standard processing timeline
Whether any objection or deficiency has been noted against my application

Complaint:

Action taken on complaint Ref. No. dated DD/MM/YYYY — steps taken, officer assigned, and current status
Whether the complaint has been marked resolved — if yes, the date and basis; if no, the reason for delay

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Public Information Officer (PIO),
Delhi Jal Board,
[Zonal Office / Head Office Address]

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Water Connection / Billing Dispute / Complaint Status

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Full Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Consumer / Application details:
  Consumer Account No. (if existing connection): [Consumer No.]
  Application Reference No. (for new connection): [Reference No.]
  Address for which information is sought: [Property Address]
  Subject: [New Water Connection / New Sewer Connection / Billing Dispute / Complaint]
  Date of Application / Complaint: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Information sought:

1. The current status of my [new water/sewer connection application / complaint] bearing reference [XXX] submitted on [DD/MM/YYYY].

2. [For billing dispute] The basis of the water bill issued for the period [Month/Year] for consumer account [XXX], including the meter reading recorded, the rate category applied, and any arrears included. If the meter was not read and an average/flat rate was applied, state the basis for that rate.

3. [For new connection] The date on which my application was received, its current stage of processing, the officer responsible, and the expected date of connection as per DJB's standard timeline.

4. [For complaint] The action taken on my complaint bearing reference [XXX] lodged on [DD/MM/YYYY], the name and designation of the officer to whom it was assigned, and the present status.

5. Whether there are any dues or disputes outstanding on the connection at the above address, and the basis for any amount demanded.

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

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