The Delhi government on Friday moved the Supreme Court over the water crisis in the national capital, demanding more water from the neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh for a month. A senior government official said the government has argued that it was the collective responsibility of all to meet Delhi’s needs in this regard.
The move comes a day after visuals of Delhi’s residents chasing water tankers amid record-shattering temperatures hit the headlines.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal early on Friday urged the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh to provide relief to the people of Delhi instead of politicking over the issue.
“We all have to solve this together. I see that BJP colleagues are protesting against us. This will not solve the problem. I request everyone with folded hands that instead of doing politics at this time, let us come together and provide relief to the people of Delhi,” he said in a post on X.
“If BJP talks to its governments in Haryana and UP and gets some water for Delhi for a month, then the people of Delhi will greatly appreciate this step of BJP. Such scorching heat is not in anyone's control. But if we all work together, can’t we provide relief to the people from this?” he asked.
Kejriwal’s appeal came a day after Delhi Water Minister Atishi said the city was staring at “an emergency situation”.
Kejriwal also highlighted the surge in power demand across the country and how Delhi was coping. “Last year, the peak demand for electricity in Delhi was 7438 MW. In comparison, this year the peak demand has reached 8302 MW. But despite this, the power situation in Delhi is under control, there are no power cuts like in other states,” he posted.