Kejriwal writes to Khattar & Baijal to take up water crisis

NEW DELHI: Requesting to maintain the current level of water supply to Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar, an official statement said on Thursday. He has also written a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal. The Chief Minister requested the LG to persuade Haryana to continue the supply of same water levels as it has been doing for last 22 years, the statement said.

Kejriwal has stated in his letter that Delhi has been receiving 1,133 cusecs of water from Haryana since 1996, but recently Haryana has contested Delhi's claim for the first time.

The statement said that the Supreme Court has directed Haryana to maintain status quo till May 21 and added that if Haryana reduces water supply after that, it could lead to water shortage in Delhi. He also requested the LG to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Water Resources Minister.

"Disruption in water supply from Haryana would affect Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant, which supplies water to VIP areas of Delhi including Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament, embassies of various countries and other major establishments," wrote the CM to LG Baijal. He also urged the LG to use offices to persuade Haryana to continue the supply of same water levels as it has been doing since last 22 years.

In the letter to the Haryana counterpart, Kejriwal wrote, "Delhi has been facing the shortage of drinking water supply from last December 30, first because of increased pollution levels at Wazirabad and from April 2 on account of reduced water release through Diversion Drain-8/river Yamuna." He added that this has led to Wazirabad pond not being filled up to the desired level due to which drinking water production has been affected at Wazirabad and Chandrawal Water Treatment Plants.

"Supply of water through Delhi Sub Branch and Carrier Line Channel is reduced by 100 cusecs. Haryana has assured the Supreme Court to maintain the current supply of water till May 21. Water demand peaks during summer months in May and June up to 20 percent, which makes water rationalisation in distribution difficult," the CM explained.

On Wednesday, the apex court asked the Delhi government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to request Haryana for the maintenance of status quo on water supply and directed Haryana to take an independent decision on the matter. A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Navin Sinha said the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) should deal with the issue and it would be appropriate if the Delhi government approached the Board.