‘Don’t Do Politics Over Water’: Atishi Hits Out At Haryana Govt For Delhi Water Crisis, Urges To Release ‘Full Share’

Delhi has been grappling with a water shortage, with Water Minister Atishi blaming Haryana for not releasing Yamuna water to the city. 

Atishi Blames Haryana For Water Crisis In Delhi

Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Saturday blamed Haryana for the ongoing water crisis in the national capital, citing reduced water releases from the Munak Canal. Atishi urged the Haryana government to stop "politicising" the issue and release Delhi's full share of water, warning that all areas of the national capital would face severe shortages in the coming days if the situation did not improve. 

"When there is a severe heatwave in Delhi, when there is water shortage in Delhi, Haryana has reduced the release of water from Munak Canal. Haryana is not releasing its 1050 cusecs of water from Munak Canal," Atishi said during a press conference today.

"In the coming two days, there will be a shortage of water in every area of Delhi. I would like to appeal to the Haryana government that they should not do politics on water and release Delhi's share of water," she added. 

She further explained, "If water at CLC and DSP stay at this level, then all the areas of Delhi will face a shortage of water in the coming two days. If Haryana was letting out the required amount of water, then how is the water disappearing? Haryana is not giving Delhi its share of the water". 

BJP Seeks Special Assembly Session To Discuss Delhi Water Crisis

The BJP, meanwhile, demanded a special session of the Delhi Assembly to address the crisis, blaming the Aam Aadmi Party-led government's mismanagement for the city's water woes. BJP Chief Whip in the Delhi Assembly, Ajaj Mahawar, wrote to Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, stating that the entire city is struggling with a water shortage amid unprecedented heat, and people are devastated due to the government's water mismanagement. 

"It is requested of you to immediately call a special session of the Delhi Assembly to discuss and find a solution to this crisis and provide relief to the people from this disaster caused by mismanagement of the Delhi government and the Delhi Jal Board," Mahawar said in his letter. 

Delhi Water Crisis

Delhi has been grappling with a water shortage, with Water Minister Atishi blaming Haryana for not releasing Yamuna water to the city. 

On Thursday, the Supreme Court observed that the acute shortage had become an "existential problem" in Delhi and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national capital and Haryana to facilitate its flow. The top court also emphasised that there should be no politics over water. 

BJP's newly-elected South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bhiduri criticised Atishi for creating noise within a few hours, despite knowing that water from Himachal Pradesh reaches Delhi in 48 hours.