No early sign of city getting water from Munak canal

The absence of an elected regime in Delhi and the expected change of guard at the Centre have held up progress on the issue of water sharing with Haryana through the delayed Munak canal project, according to Delhi government officers.

Despite Delhi paying over Rs 400 crore for the Munak canal to Haryana, the capital is not getting its share of 80 MGD (million gallons daily) water – an issue which forced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in 2011.

“As things stand today, neither Delhi nor Haryana officials seem keen to pursue the matter due to the election atmosphere,” an officer said.

The official stand of DJB functionaries is that they are pursuing the matter with Haryana on release of additional supply of raw water accrued on account of saving of 80 MGD en-route seepage losses.

Sources in Raj Niwas said Chief Secretary Delhi Chief Secretary S K Srivastava and Delhi Jal Board chief have been asked to update a report on the issues revolving around Munak canal and the expected relief that water flowing through it could bring to Delhiites during summer.

The 102 km lined canal is capable of carrying 140 MGD water out of which 80 MGD was supposed to be used in Delhi and the rest in parched areas of Haryana.

“Delhi has paid nearly Rs 404 crore for the canal but Haryana seems in no mood to give the capital the water it needs to meet the increasing demand, especially, during summer,” said the officer.

A part of cost of Rs 520 crore of the project has been borne by Haryana, which built the new canal along an existing one which is vulnerable to wastage.

After commissioning of the new lined canal there will be saving in the en-route seepage losses.

The saved water is critical for running “water treatment plants at Bawana (20 MGD), Dwarka (50 MGD) and Okhla (20 MGD)”, according to DJB documents.

The installed capacity of water treatment plants in the city is 747 MGD. By relying on other sources like tubewells and ranney wells, the DJB manages to supply about 835 MGD potable water. The demand in the city by 2017 is expected to touch 1,140 MGD.