Water level at Wazirabad Barrage hits a drastic low of 669 ft; Delhi may face a severe water shortage if Haryana Government does not release Delhi’s share of water
Water Minister Satyendar Jain inspects the Wazirabad Barrage, expresses concern over inadequate production of water from Wazirabad and Chandrawal WTPs
Adequate supply of water is a fundamental right of the people of Delhi; Haryana Government is depriving people of their rights by obstructing water supply: Satyendar Jain
Haryana Government is failing to provide the Delhi its share of water despite the Supreme Court’s order, the allocated share of water must be provided to Delhi soon: Satyendar Jain
People troubled by the water shortage can contact Delhi Jal Board’s Central Control Room at 1916, 23527679, 23634469 for water tanker facilities
New Delhi:
In light of the declining water level in the Yamuna, Water Minister Shri Satyendar Jain conducted an on-site review of the Wazirabad barrage on Tuesday. He was also concerned about the impact of water output from the Wazirabad and Chandrawal Water Treatment Plants due to the Haryana government’s reduced water release in the Yamuna River. Due to the Haryana government’s insufficient water release, the water level at Wazirabad barrage has dropped from its typical 674.5 feet to this year’s lowest level of 669 feet.
Water Minister Shri Satyendar Jain said that Wazirabad barrage is the most important reservoir of Delhi. “It is one of the most important water sources for North and West Delhi. Due to a lack of water supply from Haryana, the water treatment plants in Delhi are currently running at a fraction of their peak capability. As a result, Wazirabad WTP’s water production has decreased by 60-70 MGD. The Yamuna has dried up as well due to the withholding of water by the Haryana Government,” he informed
Why is the Wazirabad Barrage important?
Delhi is a landlocked city. The rivers from neighbouring states make up the majority of the water supply. UP gets its water from the Ganga, while Haryana gets it from the Yamuna. In addition, some water comes into Delhi from the Punjab’s Bhakra Nangal Dam. The majority of the water supply comes from Haryana via the Yamuna, which enters Delhi 15 kilometres before the Wazirabad Barrage. The Wazirabad Barrage, a unique form of dam with a series of enormous gates, was constructed on the Yamuna River in North Delhi in 1959. Wazirabad Barrage’s water level has dropped to an all-time low of 669 feet this year. In this regard, the Delhi Jal Board has repeatedly demanded that the Haryana Irrigation Department rectify the situation, but the Haryana Government has paid no attention to the issue.
Haryana Government withholding fair share of water supply meant for the people of Delhi: Satyendar Jain
Shri Satyendar Jain said, “The water level in the Wazirabad barrage has been severely depleted due to the Haryana government’s insufficient water supply. This must be understood in light of the fact that a 1 foot drop in the Yamuna’s water level causes a water scarcity in Delhi, as the Yamuna provides the majority of the city’s drinking water. The need for water in Delhi has increased as the city’s population has grown. Wazirabad and Chandrawal Water Treatment Plants provide a significant percentage of the supply. Haryana has withheld the share of water that belongs to Delhi, causing the Yamuna to reach 669 feet. As a result of Haryana’s obstruction in the continuous supply of water, Delhiites are not getting their fair share of water, which is their fundamental right.”
Water supply is getting affected in various parts of Delhi
Water Minister Shri Satyendar Jain said, “this insufficient supply is affecting the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant, which supplies water to the bulk of houses in North and West Delhi. The water that enters the WTP comes directly from the Yamuna and is subsequently treated before being distributed to Delhi residents. Normally, the Yamuna is totally full, but it is currently dry due to the Haryana government’s refusal to supply water. Furthermore, the water supply is being impacted in locations such as Civil Lines, Hindurao Hospital, Kamla Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Old and New Rajinder Nagar, Patel Nagar, Baljit Nagar, Indrapuri, and the surrounding districts as a result of this.”
We urge the Haryana Government to respect and comply to the Supreme Court’s orders: Satyendar Jain
Underlining the extent of the water crisis, the Water Minister said, “We have appealed to the Haryana government, requesting that they come here and assess the state of the Yamuna. We are not expecting the Haryana government to provide water in proportion to the 2022 population of Delhi, but at the very least they need to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Our share of water is our right.” He went on to say that the Haryana government should provide water on a humanitarian basis so that the people of Delhi have adequate drinking water in this hot weather. The Haryana Water Minister urged the Haryana government to give Delhiites their fair amount of water so that their rights are not violated.
Delhiites facing water scarcity can call for water tankers through helpline
The production of water at Water Treatment Plants in Wazirabad, Chandrawal, and Okhla has been severely hampered by the obstruction in Delhi’s water supply, and as a result, several portions of the city may face water shortages until the water level increases. People troubled by the water shortage can contact Delhi Jal Board’s Central Control Room at 1916, 23527679, 23634469 for water tanker facilities.