Delhi water crisis: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has introduced a new set of measures to address the ongoing water crisis in the city amid a severe heatwave.
Residents will now face a Rs 2,000 fine for wasting water, including activities like washing cars with a hose, allowing water tanks to overflow, using domestic water for commercial purposes, and using drinking water at construction sites.
Delhi minister Atishi, who oversees the water supply portfolio, has directed the Delhi Jal Board CEO, A Anbarasu, to establish 200 teams tasked with monitoring and curbing water wastage across residential areas.
These teams will actively check for and penalize instances of water misuse to ensure conservation efforts are strictly enforced.
Also Read: It’s a record! Delhi clocks highest-ever temperature in India
This announcement follows Atishi’s accusation that the Haryana government is not providing Delhi with its agreed share of water, which has exacerbated the water shortage.
She noted a significant drop in the water level at Wazirabad, one of Delhi’s key water treatment plants, from 674.5 on May 1 to 669.8, leading to severe water scarcity in several regions of the capital.
In her appeal to the residents, Atishi emphasised the necessity of rationing water distribution due to the crisis. Areas receiving water supply twice a day will now get it only once daily. She urged the public to conserve water and avoid wastage, given the dire situation.
The Delhi government has reportedly been in discussions with Haryana to resolve the water supply issue. However, with no improvement in the water supply, Atishi mentioned the possibility of taking the matter to court, including the Supreme Court, if the situation does not improve within a couple of days.
The opposition BJP has criticised the AAP government for its handling of the water crisis, questioning why a ‘Summer Action Plan’ was not implemented in anticipation of the extreme heat and resultant water shortage.
The BJP also challenged the AAP’s reliance on Haryana for water, suggesting that the Delhi government should seek additional sources from Punjab or Himachal Pradesh, where the AAP has influence or alliances.
Meanwhile, Delhi is experiencing extreme temperatures, with maximum temperatures nearing 50 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the water crisis. The weather office has advised residents to minimize heat exposure and stay hydrated as heatwave conditions are expected to persist in the coming days.
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