CM Kejriwal urges PM Modi to step in to prevent Delhi water crisis

New Delhi: Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention in ensuring sufficient water supply from Haryana as the national capital stares at a possible water crisis next week.

In his letter to the PM, Mr Kejriwal said the city has been receiving 1,133 cusecs of water from Haryana since 1996. However, for the first time in 22 years the neighbouring state has recently contested Delhi’s right over this water and has partially stopped supply to the national capital.

“The Supreme Court has directed Haryana to keep supplying the earlier quantity of water till May 21. This means the state could reduce water supply after Monday,” he said.

If that happens, it would create an “unprecedented shortage of water” in Delhi and could lead to a “serious” law and order situation, the chief minister added.

“I would urge you (PM) to kindly use your good offices to persuade Haryana to continue supplying same level of water that it has been supplying for the last 22 years and not disrupt it till the issue is finally decided by the courts,” Mr Kejriwal said in the letter.

In a letter to lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal, the chief minister said, “Just two days are left; we need to act fast to prevent a crisis.”

Mr Baijal told Mr Kejriwal that he has taken up the issue with different agencies to ensure adequate water supply in Delhi.

The apex court asked the Delhi government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to request Haryana for maintenance of status quo on water supply and directed Haryana to take an independent decision on the matter.

In his letter to Mr Modi, Mr Kejriwal said disruption in water supply from Haryana could affect the Chandrawal water treatment plant, which supplies water to the NDMC area where Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Parliament, embassies and major establishments like railway stations and hospitals are located.

“The Delhi government has already filed an application before the Upper Yamuna River Board. However, final adjudication by the board could take some time,” said Mr Kejriwal.