Delhi Water Crisis: Delhi Govt Moves Supreme Court Seeking Directions For Immediate Release Of Water From Haryana

In a recent development, the Delhi government has approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to the State of Haryana for immediate release of water to the crisis-hit national capital.

Referring to the severe heatwave conditions prevailing in north India, particularly Delhi, the plea states that there is extraordinary and excessive surge of water demand in the capital. It is facing acute shortage, despite the government taking all possible administrative measures to ensure optimization, rationing and targeted supply. As such, there is need for additional water supply.

It is further stated that Delhi, a lower riparian Union Territory, is seeking additional water supply through the instant plea only in view of the emergent situation created by the dry, arid summer this year. The same is without prejudice to any inter-state water dispute and/or the capital's claim over shared water resources, as well as meant as a stop-gap arrangement till either the monsoon season arrives or temperature in the city goes down.

In the petition, it is apprised that State of Himachal Pradesh has agreed to share its surplus water with Delhi. But, it does not share a physical boundary with the Union Territory, and thus, the water is required to be routed through existing water channels/river systems in the State of Haryana, to be eventually released to Delhi at the Wazirabad barrage.

In this backdrop, the plea adds, Delhi government has made a request to State of Haryana, but the latter has not acceded to it yet. Accordingly, directions are sought so that State of Haryana offers its cooperation and releases water to Delhi, including the additional/surplus water agreed to be released by Himachal Pradesh.

The plea highlights that the national capital is home to a large number of migrants from across the country, including from the neighboring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. As such, there is reciprocal obligation on Haryana to assist Delhi in resolving its water and sanitation crisis.

The need for resolving the crisis at the earliest is also sought to be pressed by pointing out that Delhi houses a significant proportion of workforce, and thus, the impact of the water crisis on the workers' responsibilities may have a ripple effect across the country.

Earlier today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to social media platform 'X' to say that the quantity of water that used to be supplied to the capital by neighboring states has been limited. He urged the Bhartiya Janata Party, forming government in states of UP and Haryana, to ask its leaders to supply additional water to Delhi for a month, keeping aside politics.

Notably, the Aam Aadmi Party, forming government in Delhi, has accused BJP-led government in Haryana of not releasing Delhi's share of water since May 1.

Amidst the water woes, Delhi water minister Atishi Marlena issued an order last Wednesday stating that wastage of water by anyone shall attract a fine of Rs.2000/-. In addition, 200 teams were deployed wef May 30 to crackdown upon (i) washing of cars with pipes (ii) overflow of water tanks, and (iii) use of domestic water supply for construction or commercial purposes.

Case Title: GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI Versus STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS., Diary No. 25504-2024