Delhi, Haryana bicker over acute water crisis

The Delhi Jal Board on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Haryana to release the National Capital’s “legitimate share” of water. However, the Chief Minister Manohar Lal-led Haryana government said that the water shortage is a result of, among other reasons, a delay in monsoon.

As the national capital faces an acute water shortage, the Haryana government blamed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led dispensation in Delhi as the reason for less water in the Yamuna river. “Less water in Yamuna river due to delay in the arrival of monsoon, AAP dispensation›s mismanagement behind water shortage in the national capital,” the Haryana government said.

DJB vice-chairman Raghav Chadha accused the neighbouring state of withholding the city›s share of 120 million gallons of water a day. “Raw water discharge through Yamuna by Haryana is at an all-time low. Even one foot decline can cause havoc in the city, but currently pond level has fallen from 674.5 feet to 667 feet,” he said, attaching pictures of reduced water levels at the Wazirabad pond. “There is zero cusec release of raw water in Yamuna from Haryana.” The DJB has been supplying 945 million gallons of water a day (MGD) to city residents this summer against the demand of 1,150 MGD, he said. At present, Delhi has been receiving 479 MGD against 609 MGD from Haryana. Besides, Delhi draws 90 MGD groundwater and receives 250 MGD from the Upper Ganga Canal, Chadha said. In response to allegations, the Haryana government levelled counter-allegations on the AAP government, accusing it of indulging in a “false political rhetoric to hide its failure”.