New Delhi, Sept. 9 -- The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has formally set in motion the drafting of its Sewage Masterplan 2043, aiming to overhaul the Capital's sewage infrastructure and chart a roadmap for the next two decades. The water utility has floated tenders to hire experts and consulting firms who will conduct surveys, carry out gap analyses, and review the outcomes of the existing 2031 masterplan, senior officials said. The expert agency selected will be given 15 months to complete the task, while the selection process is expected to conclude by October 3, according to officials who are aware of the DJB's request for proposals. At the heart of the new plan is a structural shift in how Delhi's massive sewage system is operated. DJB proposes to develop a "one zone-one operator" model, dividing the city into four zones, each to be managed by a dedicated private agency. A DJB official explained that under the current set up, replacements of sewer lines, repair work and upgradation are being carried out in piece-meal by the maintenance wing through smaller contracts and tendering process. "Work on separate sewage lines is carried out by different contractors. With a single agency in charge, the process will be much faster and accountability can be fixed," the official added. The new model, officials said, is expected to streamline operations and improve accountability, replacing the current piecemeal system of multiple contractors handling repairs and maintenance. "Each zone will be operated by a dedicated agency. This zonal approach aims to streamline operation and maintenance (O&M), improve accountability, and ensure service delivery," the report, seen by HT, added. The proposal floated by the water utility states that the key objective of the programme is to achieve "substantial reduction of untreated sewage discharge into the Yamuna and its ecological restoration." The sewerage improvement scheme will be a long-term integrated planning framework for rehabilitation, augmentation, and future expansion of sewerage infrastructure across Delhi. Currently, Delhi's sewage network spans 10,720 km of sewer lines and 38 sewage treatment plants (STPs). The flooding in Yamuna and waterlogging during the heavy spells of rain during this monsoon season has also exposed the gaps in sewage flow. In several places like Burari, parts of Rohini, Bela Road the backflow of sewage lines has occurred highlighting the need for sewage pumping stations. Under the new framework, the firms hired will be responsible for conducting detailed surveys -- including drone-based topographic mapping -- validating system performance, and preparing tenders for future zonal maintenance contracts. The Sewerage Masterplan 2031, finalised in 2014, had ambitious targets: to connect all households to the sewer network and ensure zero untreated discharge into the Yamuna. At the time, only around 50% of Delhi's population was connected. However, a decade later, DJB claims about 83% coverage, but progress remains slow in unauthorised colonies....