Delhi, June 16, 2024 – The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has serious allegations against the Haryana government about water denial to Delhi’s rightful share; it called such an act “water terrorism,” according to Water Minister Atishi. The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), however, said that these are untrue with the claim that nothing is imminent to endanger Delhi’s water supply.
Allegations of Water Withholding
Atishi has raised concerns regarding a considerable drop in the water supply to Delhi through the Munak Canal. As she argues, under the agreement between Haryana, Delhi, and Upper Yamuna, Delhi has the right to get 1,050 cusecs of water daily. Traditionally, the city received between 980 and 1,000 cusecs.
However, ever since the first of June, there has been a visible slump, with June 7 recording only 840 cusecs. The jocularity of the situation has already sobered up the water treatment plants in Delhi-the Bawana, Nangloi, Haiderpur, Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla plants. Atishi warned that if this continued for much longer, there will be water shortages throughout the city.
The assurance offered by DJB
DJB countered that there would be no interruption in water and sewerage service to the national capital. In an official confirmation of the ‘no water crisis’ declared by DJB, the board said that it has requested the city finance department to release the second tranche of funds to Mr. Khan for uninterrupted water supply to the city.
The DJB went ahead to confirm that funds will probably be released after the submission of necessary information and data.
Political tensions escalate
The situation boiled over when the protest, held outside the DJB office in Chhatarpur, culminated in a smashing of glasses. AAP Minister Atishi charged former BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri with directing the attack, accusing the BJP of conspiring against Delhi’s inhabitants.
She stated that the alleged attack burgeoned from a series of unfoldings: disruption of the city’s water supply by the BJP-ruled Haryana government and that of the main pipeline from the Sonia Vihar treatment plant to South Delhi.
As per him, real and true accountability should rest upon Atishi to explain to people why they are not getting water, if the Delhi model initiated by Arvind Kejriwal has actually failed. He accused AAP of widening the debate on the water crisis by blaming the BJP.
Public Outrage and Resonance
The water crisis had bred an atmosphere of discontent that culminated in civil unrest, leading to a protest against the perceived administrative mismanagement. One of the protests outside the DJB office in Chhatarpur culminated in agitation when the protesters smashed glass windows with earthen pots in frustration for lack of water. The Delhi BJP said that although it does not approve of violence at all, it is a reflection of the public’s anger and uproar over the water shortage.
As the situation continues to develop, Delhi’s residents are stuck between political accusations and administrative assurances. DJB claims of uninterrupted water supply stand in contrast to AAP’s warnings of impending crises. These next few days will show if the capital is straying into some ravages of water shortage, or whether the concerns raised were simply part of some larger political front.
Key points:
- AAP accusing Haryana of deliberately reducing Delhi water supply and calling it ‘water terrorism’.
- DJB refutes such claims, negating any anticipated shut down in water service.
- The protests arise as residents express frustration over the water crisis.
- Political tensions surface, with cross-accusations among AAP and BJP leaders.
- The situation remains fluid so far, hence no forecasts can be administered on the likely scenario for Delhi’s water supply.
