Delhi Water Scarcity: Supreme Court Directs Himachal To Release Surplus Water

The Supreme Court has directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water on Friday, to help Delhi tide over the water shortage.

The highest court stated that the Himachal Pradesh administration has consented to releasing extra water. It instructed the Haryana government to enable the water’s release via the Wazirabad barrage.

The Upper Yamuna River Board received instructions to monitor the water discharged by Himachal Pradesh at Hathnikund. Additionally, the Delhi administration has been tasked with preventing water wastage and providing a progress report by June 10.

Previously, on Monday, the interim bench scheduled the Delhi government’s petition requesting extra water from Haryana for a hearing on June 6. It also urged involved parties, including the central government, to convene a meeting regarding the matter.

The highest court additionally requested the meeting minutes and recommendations regarding actions taken.

Delhi’s Water Minister Atishi lodged a plea, naming the Centre, Haryana governed by the BJP, and Himachal Pradesh ruled by the Congress as respondents. The plea emphasized the critical need for water access for survival, citing it as a fundamental human right.

The plea specifically asks for an order to the Haryana government for the immediate and uninterrupted release of water at the Wazirabad barrage, encompassing the entire surplus water allocated by Himachal Pradesh for the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.

The court asked the Himachal government to release the water after prior intimation to Haryana.

The apex court also warned the Delhi government against the wastage of water.