Felicitating Khattar, BJP urges Haryana to quench capital's thirst

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday stopped short of giving a clear consent when Delhi BJP leaders urged him to release Yamuna water through the Munak Canal for Delhi.

Khattar, who was felicitated by the Delhi BJP here, said he would work closely with the central government, the Delhi administration and his Haryana’s neighbours to find out a possible solution to quench Delhi’s thirst.

“Haryana takes water from Himahal Pradesh, Punjab and Uttrakhand. There is shortage of water in our state as well,” he said.

The Delhi High Court recently directed Haryana to release water into Munak Canal which could result in around 80-90 million gallons per day of water being saved that can be used by people here.

Khattar said on the issue of water supply on December 1, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has called a meeting and Haryana will take meaningful initiative.

If Delhi manages to get water through the Munak Canal, it will be able to feed its water treatment plants in Bawana and Okhla, besides Dwarka.

On the issue of delay in building the western corridor which would prevent trucks in transit from entering Delhi, Khattar assured Delhi BJP that his government is open to remove the private contractor.

“We are considering to replace the present construction company by the National Highway Authority of India,” he said.

He also agreed to jointly work with the Delhi administration to build dormitories near Delhi border to offer affordable residential facilities to people working in the National Capital Region territory.

Delhi BJP media coordinator Praveen Shankar Kapoor said: “Under the proposal, the land could be provided by Haryana, the buildings could be built by Delhi or Haryana or jointly, to ease pressure on Delhi for creating affordable houses for the growing population.”