Delhi Water Crisis Update: As Delhi grapples with a severe water crisis amidst a punishing heatwave, Water Minister Atishi has urged the police for enhanced protection of the city’s major water pipelines. In a letter to Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora on Sunday, Atishi detailed the critical situation, citing a significant drop in water production due to decreased supply from the Yamuna, leading to widespread shortages.
Delhi Water Crisis Update: DJB Office Vandalised In Chhatarpur, AAP And BJP Trade Blame
- Unidentified individuals on Sunday vandalised the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) office in Chhatarpur. Footage shared on social media showed broken window panes and shattered earthen pots at the scene. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused BJP leaders and workers of being behind the incident.
“Open hooliganism by BJP leaders and workers ‼️ See how BJP workers are breaking the office of Delhi Jal Board while raising slogans of ‘BJP Zindabad’ 👇 On one hand, the BJP government of Haryana is stopping the water that is Delhi’s right, while on the other hand, the BJP is damaging the property of the people of Delhi. Why do they hate the people of Delhi so much?” the AAP stated, blaming the BJP for both hindering Delhi’s water supply from Haryana and damaging public property.
BJP के नेताओं और कार्यकर्ताओं की सरेआम गुंडागर्दी ‼️
देखिए कैसे ‘BJP ज़िंदाबाद’ के नारे लगाते हुए दिल्ली जल बोर्ड के दफ़्तर को तोड़ रहे हैं बीजेपी के कार्यकर्ता👇
एक तरफ़ हरियाणा की BJP सरकार दिल्ली के हक़ का पानी रोके हुए है तो वहीं दूसरी तरफ़ बीजेपी दिल्ली की जनता की संपत्ति… pic.twitter.com/nVEWLdDwGA
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) June 16, 2024
Meanwhile, former MP Ramesh Bidhuri was present at the site said, “A drama is being conducted by Arvind Kejriwal’s people. They sit in air-conditioned rooms but are oblivion of the reality on the ground. When there is flood, they blame Haryana, when there is shortage, they blame Haryana. Why are they sitting in government? They did not prepare for it. They are only indulged in doing corruption. People are suffering for incompetency of government”, as quoted by news agency PTI.VIDEO | During the protest by the BJP over the water crisis in Delhi, female protesters pelted stones at Filling Point of Delhi Jal Board in Chhatarpur area. They broke the glasses of the window. Former MP Ramesh Bidhuri was present at the site. Here’s what he said.
“A drama is… pic.twitter.com/ZIHx0bXLZY
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 16, 2024
- As temperatures soar to a record 47 degrees Celsius, residents in areas like Okhla and Govindpuri are facing acute water shortages, relying on tanker supplies. The heatwave has significantly increased water demand, compounding the crisis and leading to long queues for water distribution. ALSO READ | WATCH: Delhi Locals Climb On Tankers To Secure Water Amid Shortage In Capital
#WATCH | Water supplied through tankers to Delhi locals in the Okhla area, amid water shortage in the national capital this summer pic.twitter.com/spAr9CGG2l
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi: Water supplied through tankers to Delhi locals in the Govindpuri area, amid water shortage in the national capital this summer pic.twitter.com/JFf2hElRzt
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2024
- The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has deployed patrol teams to monitor the main distribution network, which transports raw water to Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) and subsequently to underground reservoirs citywide. Additionally, teams supervised by Assistant Divisional Magistrates are supporting these efforts.
On Saturday, DJB’s ground patrol discovered a major leak in the South Delhi Rising Mains near the DTL substation in Garhi Medhu. “Our patrolling team found that several large 375 mm bolts and one 12-inch bolt had been cut from the pipeline, causing the leakage,” Atishi stated, claiming foul play. She requested police deployment for the next 15 days to prevent further tampering, which could exacerbate the water crisis.
“Delhi is reeling under a severe heatwave and a water crisis. Water production has fallen by around 70 MGD, making every drop precious,” Atishi wrote. The leak’s repair required six hours, during which 20 MGD of water could not be pumped, resulting in a further 25% water shortage in South Delhi. “This is a critical time; any sabotage will worsen the already difficult situation,” Atishi warned.
- Speaking to news agency ANI, the Delhi Minister slammed the BJP saying, “It is well known who is hatching a conspiracy against the Delhi Government and the Arvind Kejriwal Government. But this is not the time for allegations and counter-allegations, this is not the time for dirty politics…”
“Look, if the BJP finds satisfaction in abusing you, me, and Arvind Kejriwal, then that’s fine. We know that BJP members hate us, but now they have started hating the people of Delhi as well because there is a BJP government in Haryana. If they talk to the Haryana government even once, I am fully confident that the Haryana government will start releasing water… There is a whole lifetime for accusations and counter-accusations; this is the time to work for the people of Delhi. I urge the BJP to request the Haryana government to release water for Delhi,” she added.
#WATCH | Delhi Water Minister Atishi says, “Right now there is a severe heat wave in Delhi and there is also a water crisis. But during all this, it seems that some people are conspiring to make this water shortage worse by breaking the water pipeline. Yesterday, the main water… pic.twitter.com/qtowPjiaSC
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2024
VIDEO | Here’s what BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said during party’s protest against Delhi Jal Board over the water crisis in the national capital.
“Every single day I get a call from the constituency. I have to incessantly put pressure on officials of DJB to send tanker and make sure… pic.twitter.com/e0QFVSuZSs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 16, 2024
- In a related development, AAP MLAs, including Rakhi Birla, visited Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil’s residence, demanding his intervention. “It’s unfortunate we are unable to meet Minister CR Patil. We urge him to address Delhi’s water shortage,” Birla said, as quoted by ANI.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the issue of water shortage in Delhi, AAP MLAs reached the residence of Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil at his BD Marg residence in Delhi.
AAP MLA Rakhi Birla says “It is unfortunate that we gave a letter to Minister CR Patil yesterday and today our… pic.twitter.com/5XDsciGuMA
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2024 - Earlier, the Delhi Congress, led by Devender Yadav, conducted ‘matka phod’ protests across the city on Saturday, symbolically breaking earthen pots to highlight the water scarcity. “We demand a special session of the assembly to discuss this pressing issue,” Yadav declared, as per PTI.