Water Minister Aatishi of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi has hinted at issuing fines for water wastage. Aatishi has appealed to the citizens of Delhi to avoid wasting water. The minister said that if the appeals to save water are ineffective, fines might be considered.
Aatishi claims that Delhi relies on the Yamuna River for its water supply. Haryana stopped releasing Delhi's share of water in May, causing the water levels in the Yamuna to drop within the city.
'Haryana Stops Water Supply'
She stated that since May 1st, Haryana has reduced the amount of water it supplies to Delhi. The water level in the Yamuna River in Delhi has fallen to 669.8 feet. When the water level decreases, water treatment plants receive less water, and the supply to different areas drops. Delhi has faced a serious water crisis for the past week. To ensure better supply, borewells have been increased from 6 to 14 hours of operation, and the number of water tankers has also increased.
Government May Consider Imposing Fines
Aatishi has appealed to the people of Delhi not to waste water and avoid washing their vehicles with water. She suggested that if there's water wastage in Delhi, fines could be imposed. Aatishi mentioned that using water to wash vehicles or in cases of water tank overflow could lead to fines. If the situation doesn't improve, fines may start being imposed in the next 1 or 2 days.
Source: aajtak
Water Supply Will Be Once a Day
Aatishi also disclosed that due to the water crisis, Delhi will switch from supplying water twice a day to just once to address other impacted areas. She claims that Delhi is in a dire situation as Haryana has cut off water supply and that it cannot be left with zero water. She acknowledges that residents face difficulties but asks for their cooperation.
If No Agreement with Haryana, We'll Turn to Courts - Aatishi
Aatishi said the Delhi government is continuously in talks with the Haryana government, but even after discussions, Haryana is not releasing water. If water supply does not improve within the next few days, we will approach the courts, and we are prepared to go to the Supreme Court. If water levels continue to drop during this heatwave, a major water crisis may arise for the people of Delhi. Some areas are already facing water issues due to reduced supply.
Aatishi stated they are working on creating raw water for Delhi. An MOU has been signed with Himachal Pradesh to provide 50 MGD of water to Delhi. However, this MOU has been blocked in the Upper Yamuna Board by Haryana. If needed, we will take this matter to the Supreme Court. Delhi is a city where the population is continuously increasing. People from all over the country come to Delhi seeking employment and settle here, hence increasing the demand for water. The need for water rises during heatwaves, and even during such times, Haryana has stopped supplying water to Delhi. The decline in water levels reduces water production by approximately 30 to 45 MGD.
How Much Water Does Delhi Need?
According to 2023 data, Delhi's population of over 20 million requires 130 million gallons of water daily. Every individual in Delhi needs about 274 liters of water per day for their needs. Under Delhi's Master Plan-2041, the aim is to reduce this requirement to 189 liters per day by 2041, and later down to 151 liters per day. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed in June 2023 that while the Water Board supplied 85 million gallons per day in 2015, its capacity has now increased to supply 100 million gallons per day.
Where Does Delhi Get Its Water From?
- 90% of Delhi's drinking water needs are met by neighboring states. Delhi receives water from the Yamuna River in Haryana, the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, and the Bhakra Nangal in Punjab.
- According to the Delhi government's economic survey, the Yamuna provides 38.9 million gallons per day, the Ganges provides 25.3 million gallons per day, and the Ravi-Beas rivers from the Bhakra-Nangal provide 22.1 million gallons daily.
- Additionally, wells, tube wells, and groundwater supply about 9 million gallons of water a day. In total, Delhi receives 95.3 million gallons of water each day.
- Furthermore, water from three water treatment plants in Delhi supplies 23 million gallons per day, including 9 million from Chandrawal, 12 million from Wazirabad, and the remainder from Okhla.
