The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi-Haryana row on water continues

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Thursday, Jul 19, 2007
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New Delhi

Delhi-Haryana row on water continues

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

NEW DELHI: There seems to be no let-up in friction between Delhi and Haryana over sharing of water as the Haryana Irrigation Department says it is unwilling to alter its plans of closing down the Western Yamuna Canal for repair work after the rainy season. The Delhi Jal Board, citing a Supreme Court order prohibiting Haryana from discontinuing water supply to the Capital, however, insists that the neighbouring State will first have to complete work on the Munak channel before embarking on any repair work.

To resolve the dispute between the two States, the Upper Yamuna River Board has intervened and cautioned against the inconvenience that will be caused to the people in the Capital if the Western Yamuna Canal is shut down.

The River Board has asked the Haryana Irrigation Department to carry out the repair work without depriving Delhi of water. Earlier this month, the Department had asked the Delhi Jal Board to make alternative plans for getting raw water for the Haiderpur and Nangloi water treatment plants as it intended to close down the canal for 15 days to carry out de-silting and repair work.

“We have taken cognisance of the issue and are writing to the Haryana Irrigation Department to withhold the closing of the canal as it will lead to a huge water crisis in the city. And if work on the Munak channel -- the other option for carrying raw water -- is delayed then repair should be carried out without closing the Western Yamuna Canal,” a River Board official said.

The Jal Board has also written to Haryana referring to the MoU signed between the two States and the Supreme Court order that makes it mandatory for Haryana to release water to Delhi.

“There are clear instructions to Haryana about the release of water to Delhi. We have told them that unless they complete the work on the remaining 22 km stretch of the Munak channel, they cannot close down the Western Yamuna Canal. Haryana is needlessly dragging its feet over completion of work on the channel. We have released the money for the completion of work, which is behind schedule,” said a DJB official. He blamed Haryana for not carrying the additional water from the Bakhra Beas Management Board to Delhi. “Haryana had agreed to supply the water after a gap of seven years following the directive of the Central Water Commission, but is yet to deliver that additional water for the Nangloi plant.”

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