Delhi Government Turns to Supreme Court Amid Severe Water Crisis Seeks Immediate Release of Water from Haryana
  2024-06-01
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Delhi Government Turns to Supreme Court Amid Severe Water Crisis Seeks Immediate Release of Water from Haryana

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Delhi, the national capital of India, is currently grappling with an acute water crisis due to the scorching heatwave conditions that have gripped North India. In a desperate attempt to address the situation, the Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court, seeking urgent directions to the neighboring state of Haryana for the immediate release of water to the crisis-hit city.

The Escalating Water Crisis in Delhi

As temperatures continue to soar, Delhi has witnessed an extraordinary and excessive surge in water demand, far exceeding the available supply. Despite the government's efforts to optimize, ration, and ensure targeted supply, the city is facing an acute shortage of water. The plea filed by the Delhi government in the Supreme Court highlights the dire need for additional water supply to meet the mounting demand during this critical period.

Seeking Intervention from the Apex Court

In its petition, the Delhi government has stated that the city, being a lower riparian Union Territory, is seeking additional water supply through this plea solely due to the emergent situation created by the dry, arid summer this year. The plea emphasizes that this request is without prejudice to any inter-state water dispute or Delhi's claim over shared water resources. It is intended as a temporary measure until the monsoon season arrives or the temperatures in the city subside.

Haryana's Cooperation Sought for Water Routing

Interestingly, the petition apprises the Supreme Court that the state of Himachal Pradesh has agreed to share its surplus water with Delhi. However, since Delhi does not share a physical boundary with Himachal Pradesh, the water needs to be routed through the existing water channels and river systems in the state of Haryana, eventually reaching Delhi at the Wazirabad barrage.

The Delhi government has made a request to Haryana for the release of water, including the additional surplus water agreed upon by Himachal Pradesh. However, Haryana has yet to accede to this request. Consequently, the plea seeks directions from the Supreme Court to ensure Haryana's cooperation in releasing water to Delhi.

Reciprocal Obligation and National Impact

The plea further highlights that Delhi is home to a large number of migrants from across the country, including from the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. As such, the Delhi government argues that there is a reciprocal obligation on Haryana to assist the national capital in resolving its water and sanitation crisis.

Moreover, the need to resolve the crisis at the earliest is emphasized by pointing out that Delhi houses a significant proportion of the workforce, and the impact of the water crisis on these workers' responsibilities may have a ripple effect across the country.

Political Tensions and Accusations

The water crisis in Delhi has also ignited political tensions between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns, stating that the quantity of water being supplied to the capital by neighboring states has been limited.

Kejriwal urged the BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to set aside political differences and supply additional water to Delhi for a month. The AAP has accused the BJP-led government in Haryana of not releasing Delhi's share of water since May 1.

Crackdown on Water Wastage

Amidst the water woes, Delhi's water minister, Atishi Marlena, has taken stringent measures to curb water wastage. Last Wednesday, she issued an order stating that anyone found wasting water shall be fined Rs. 2,000/-. Additionally, 200 teams have been deployed since May 30 to crackdown on activities such as washing cars with pipes, overflow of water tanks, and the use of domestic water supply for construction or commercial purposes.

Urgent Need for Resolution

The water crisis in Delhi has reached critical levels, with the city's residents facing severe hardships and inconveniences due to the shortage. The situation has not only affected the daily lives of citizens but also poses potential risks to public health and hygiene.

As the Delhi government awaits the Supreme Court's intervention, there is a growing sense of urgency to resolve the crisis promptly. The cooperation of neighboring states, particularly Haryana, is crucial in ensuring an adequate supply of water to the national capital during these challenging times.

The water crisis in Delhi serves as a stark reminder of the need for effective water management strategies, inter-state cooperation, and long-term solutions to address the growing demand for water in urban areas. It is imperative that all stakeholders, including the government, judiciary, and citizens, work together to mitigate the current crisis and prevent similar situations from arising in the future.

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