Amid the growing water crisis in Delhi, exacerbated by extreme heatwave conditions, the Delhi Water Minister on Saturday, for the second time in a row, accused the Haryana government of reducing the water flow to the national capital.
During her visit to two sub-canals of Munak Canal and the Bawana Water Treatment Plant, the Delhi Water Minister stated that Haryana is withholding Delhi's share of water.
She said, "For the last 5 days, the quantity of water has been constantly decreasing. If 1,050 cusecs of water is being released by Haryana, then at least 1,000 cusecs of water should reach Delhi. On June 1, 924 cusecs of water reached, and on June 2, only 848 cusecs of water reached. Water goes to 7 plants in Delhi through this canal. If water does not reach here, then there will be chaos in the whole of Delhi."
It is pertinent to note that Atishi's remarks come just two days after the Supreme Court directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and asked Haryana to facilitate its water flow towards the national capital, which is currently facing a severe water crisis. The top court also stated there should be no politics over water.
However, slamming the Haryana government for not complying with the court's verdict, Atishi added, "The Supreme Court is trying to solve the water problem. Himachal Pradesh is ready to give more water, but Haryana is withholding the water that is Delhi's right and is not releasing it."
Earlier, on Friday (June 7) also, the Delhi Minister accused the Haryana government of conspiring against the people of Delhi and reducing the water flow to the national capital over the past three days.
She said, "On one hand, the Supreme Court is trying to find a solution to Delhi's water problem, while on the other hand, the Haryana government is conspiring against the people of Delhi and stopping Delhi's share of water. Due to insufficient water reaching Delhi from Haryana, the water level at Wazirabad Barrage has dropped from 671.3 ft to 669.7 ft since June 2. The conspiracy of the Haryana government will definitely be exposed in front of the Supreme Court. We will ensure that Delhi gets its share of water."
Meanwhile, the national capital has been facing a severe water shortage amid the ongoing heatwave. Videos circulating on social media show residents from several parts of Delhi, running after water tankers sent by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and clamoring to fill their pots and buckets as taps in the area run dry.
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