The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi gets U.P. water

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Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhi gets U.P. water

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Jal Board trying to get neighbour to sign MoU

“Delhi’s share is directly proportionate to the amount of water in Tehri”
“With the MoU, Delhi will be assured of the 140 MGD of water for Sonia Vihar plant”

NEW DELHI: The impending water crisis in Delhi has been averted for now with Uttar Pradesh releasing more water for the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant. U.P. had slashed the raw water supply to the Sonia Vihar plant by almost half this past week, citing a dip in the water level at Tehri Dam.

However the Delhi Jal Board(DJB), which is now getting 105 MGD of water for the Sonia Vihar plant, has now stepped up efforts to get U.P. to sign the long-pending memorandum of understanding.

The DJB contends that with the signing of the MoU, Delhi will be “assured” of the 140 MGD of water that it is entitled to for the Sonia Vihar plant.

“As of now, the quantity of water that is supplied to Delhi depends on the amount of water that is released by Tehri,” said sources in the DJB.

The water utility is unhappy with the prevailing arrangement wherein Delhi’s share is directly proportionate to the amount of water in Tehri.

“Our standpoint is that Delhi’s share should not be relatable to Tehri. Our requirement is reserved and not subject to release from Tehri,” sources said.

The DJB refers to the Bhagirathi plant, which receives its fixed share of water since 1993, irrespective of the fluctuation in supplies.

Even though Delhi has been maintaining a diplomatic silence on the recent cut in raw water supplies, sources said the authorities are peeved that the issue has resurfaced. “The two sides have been on cordial terms ever since the change of Government in U.P. The recent decrease in water supplies was attributed to natural causes, but the fact is that Tehri is releasing 200 cumecs of water. Delhi wants U.P. to sign the MoU so that this uncertainty ceases.”

Delhi’s claim to the full 140 MGD of water stands reinforced by the fact that demand for water meant for drinking gets precedence over demand for irrigation purposes.

“We need water for drinking. And the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Water Resources have clearly specified that drinking water should get priority over irrigation purposes,” sources pointed out, adding, “Besides Tehri will continue to have higher reserve levels, which will only continue to rise.”

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