Delhi water crisis: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today (May 31) urged the neighbouring states to provide some help amid the severe water crisis in the national capital. CM Kejriwal posted on X and said, "This time the entire country is experiencing unprecedented heat due to which there is a crisis of water and electricity across the country. Last year, the peak demand for electricity in Delhi was 7,438 MW. In comparison, this year the peak demand has reached 8302 MW. But despite this, the power situation in Delhi is under control, there are no power cuts like in other states."
CM Kejriwal urged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to ask its governments in Haryana and UP to provide water to the national capital for one month, saying it was not the time to indulge in politics. Referring to the BJP's planned protest against the AAP government later in the day, he said it "will not solve the problem".
Arvind Kejriwal added, "But in this scorching heat, the demand for water has increased a lot. And the water that Delhi used to get from the neighbouring states has also been reduced. That means the demand has increased a lot and the supply has reduced. We all have to solve this together. I see that BJP colleagues are protesting against us. This will not solve the problem. I request everyone with folded hands that instead of doing politics at this time, let us come together and provide relief to the people of Delhi. If BJP talks to its governments in Haryana and UP and gets some water for Delhi for a month, then the people of Delhi will greatly appreciate this step of BJP. Such scorching heat is not in anyone's control. But if we all work together, can we provide relief to the people from this?."
Delhi govt approaches Supreme Court amid water shortage
Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court regarding the water scarcity problem in the national capital. A petition was filed to provide additional water to Delhi from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for at least one month. The need for water increased amid the scorching heat.BJP protest in Delhi
Delhi BJP holds demonstration march from Shahidi Park to Delhi secretariat over water crisis in the national capital.
Delhi govt sets up war room to monitor water tankers
The Delhi government is setting up a central war room in Delhi Jal Board to monitor the supply of water tankers according to the requirement in the national capital, Delhi Minister Atishi said. This comes as Delhi continues to grapple with an intense heat wave combined with the shortage of water. The war room will be headed by an IAS officer. Delhi Water Minister Atishi also released a number '1916', where the residents can make calls to request water tankers.
"Water tankers are sent to the areas having a shortage of water. We are setting up a central war room for water taker supply in Delhi Jal Board. It will be headed by a senior IAS officer, will be a central command and control centre. Those who need a water tanker in their area can call on number '1916'. From there, the requests will reach the room and after which the tankers will be sent," Atishi said.
"From June 5, in all 11 water zones of Delhi, one ADM level and SDM level officer will be stationed to make quick response teams to resolve any water shortage issues," she added. Atishi said that special teams of the electricity department of Delhi Jal Board are also being constituted to ensure there is no case of borewell malfunctioning. 200 enforcement teams are being made to ensure that there is no wastage of water, she added.
The Delhi Minister further said that complete bans are being imposed on use of portable and drinking water on construction sites and car repair/wash centres, adding that those buildings or centres found in violation of the directive will be sealed."A complete is being imposed on any use of potable water, whether from water tanker, pipeline, or borewell on construction sites. Any construction site found using portable drinking water will be sealed by the MCD," Atishi said."Many car repair and car washing centres are using portable water from the Delhi Jal Board pipeline. A complete ban is being imposed on the use of Delhi Jal Board water for car washing and repairing. Any centre found using drinking water will be sealed," she added.
Emergency situation in Delhi
Atishi also requested the Delhi residents to cooperate in saving water in this "emergency situation."
"We are going through an emergency situation. It is because of two reasons. The heatwave and because the state of Haryana not releasing water. All Delhi residents are requested to cooperate with the government," Atishi said.
Notably, the Delhi government has accused the Haryana government of not releasing Delhi's water share even after "so many talks." She had further asserted if the water supply does not improve in the coming 1-2 days, then "we will move to Supreme Court also."
Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Friday, said that Delhi should get its "fair share of water". She further claimed that the arbitrary action of the Haryana government has caused. Earlier in the day, water crises surfaced from various parts of the city, where residents have had to wait for hours in a long queue for water tankers.
(With inputs from Bhaskar Mishra)
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