The Delhi water crisis has taken a new turn with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu asserting that his government has no responsibility in mitigating the shortage. Sukhu’s statement comes after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi approached the Supreme Court seeking surplus water from Himachal Pradesh. However, Sukhu claims that Himachal Pradesh does not possess any surplus water beyond what is required for its own state. He emphasizes that any water supply to Delhi would have to be negotiated with Haryana, as the water must flow through that state.
Delhi has been facing an acute water shortage in recent days due to heatwave conditions. The Delhi government had sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to direct Haryana to release surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh. However, the apex court stated that it lacked the technical expertise to handle the water-sharing issue between states. It has directed the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to convene a meeting with all parties to resolve the matter.
Sukhu’s remarks are a setback for Delhi’s efforts to secure additional water sources. He maintains that Himachal Pradesh has no involvement in the issue and that Delhi must reach an agreement with Haryana. This response could further strain relations between the two states and complicate efforts to address the ongoing water crisis.
Meanwhile, Delhi Water Minister Atishi has alleged that Haryana has not been releasing Delhi’s share of water, resulting in a decline in water production in the national capital. She shared data indicating a significant drop in water production over the past week. Atishi has urged Delhi residents to use water sparingly due to the ongoing shortage.
The Delhi water crisis highlights the challenges of water management and inter-state cooperation in India. With no clear resolution in sight, the situation remains a pressing concern for the residents of Delhi and the surrounding regions.
