The Supreme Court has called for an immediate meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) on June 5 to tackle Delhi’s severe water crisis amidst scorching summer temperatures and rising demand. The court emphasized that proactive measures should be taken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to prevent water wastage and detect leakages within Delhi.
The decision comes after the Delhi government’s petition seeking Haryana’s cooperation to release surplus water from Himachal Pradesh through the Wazirabad Barrage. The arrangement between Delhi and Himachal Pradesh involves sharing surplus water, which must pass through Haryana due to geographical constraints.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court criticized the temporary protection given to Andhra Pradesh MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy, accused of damaging an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during polling. The court termed it as a “mockery of the justice system” and called for urgent action in addressing the water scarcity issue.
The UYRB, established in 1995, is an interstate body tasked with regulating water resources in the Upper Yamuna Basin. Its upcoming meeting aims to discuss immediate steps to alleviate the water crisis in Delhi and address internal inefficiencies leading to substantial water losses.
The petition highlighted Delhi’s extraordinary demand for water amidst a heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 52 degrees Celsius. The reduced water levels at the Wazirabad barrage pose a serious risk to the well-being of Delhi’s residents, prompting urgent intervention from the court.
The Delhi government’s efforts to optimize water supply and curb wastage have proven insufficient, necessitating the Supreme Court’s intervention to safeguard citizens’ fundamental right to access clean drinking water. The AAP government emphasized that this request is a temporary solution until the monsoon arrives, stressing the importance of interstate cooperation during crises.
Sources By Agencies