JOIN USDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar questioning the alleged cut in Yamuna water flow into the city through the Munak canal.
The supply from the canal is crucial for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to fulfil its promise to give free water of 20,000 litre every month to each household.
A recent court-monitored arrangement between Delhi and the BJP-ruled Haryana had brought some additional raw water to the parched capital through the canal but sources in the Delhi government claimed the supply was reduced after the saffron party lost hope of winning the Delhi Assembly election and the Kejriwal government came to power.
In his letter dated February 25, Kejriwal said that it has been brought to his notice that the Haryana Irrigation Department has substantially reduced the release of raw water, which could lead to major disruptions in production of drinking water in the national capital. The Delhi chief minister offered to meet Khattar in Chandigarh along with his team of officers to discuss and resolve the issue.
“I request you to urgently look into the matter personally and direct the officers concerned of Haryana Irrigation Department to restore the supplies,” wrote Kejriwal.
A water treatment plant in Dwarka, which has seen trial runs over the past month with Munak canal-supplied water, is expected to be inaugurated by Kejriwal on March 1.
Due to the squeeze imposed by Haryana the plant in Dwarka, which has a capacity of 40 million gallons per day, may work only at 30-50 per cent of its capacity.
The underutilised 20 MGD Bawana treatment plant also is likely to gain very little from the Munak canal water.
Supply of water through Munak canal was started on December 1, 2014 when the city was ruled by the BJP-led Central government through Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.
The saffron party was hoping to win the Delhi elections and showcase the provision of Munak canal water for Dwarka, along with two other treatment plants as a major achievement, said AAP sources.