The Aam Aadmi Party led Delhi government moved the Supreme Court urging additional water supply from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for a month amid a severe shortage in the national capital.
In the plea, the AAP government mentioned that the water demand in the national capital has risen significantly due to heatwave conditions. It urged the apex court to direct Haryana to release extra water for a month. It further said that it is the responsibility of all to work towards fulfilling water needs of Delhi.
Earlier in the day, CM Arvind Kejriwal took to social media platforms, urging BJP ruled states, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to refrain from politics during the crisis. He underlined that the entire country is experiencing unprecedented heat due to which there is a crisis of water and electricity across the country. He added that last year, the peak demand for electricity in the national capital was 7438 MW, as compared to 8302 MW this year. Apparently referring to power cuts in Noida, Lucknow, Gurgaon, Arvind Kejriwal mentioned that unlike other states, the power situation in Delhi is under control.
The Chief Minister also claimed that the neighbouring states have also reduced the water supply to the national capital. The AAP led Delhi government has also introduced stringent measures to conserve potable water. The government implemented a ban on using potable water for car washing and at construction sites. The Delhi Jal Board also imposed a Rs 2000 fine for misuse of water.
In the last few days, the national capital has been witnessing searing heatwave conditions, with maximum temperatures hovering around the 50 degree-Celsius mark in parts of the city. Water Minister Atishi also announced that a war room had been set up in the DJB for water tanker supply and accused Haryana of not releasing Delhi’s share of water.