The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi-U.P. pact on water sharing not in sight

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Thursday, Feb 07, 2008
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Delhi-U.P. pact on water sharing not in sight

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Both States are yet to announce the date for signing of MoU

Issue relates to water for the Sonia Vihar treatment plant
Delhi was hopeful of getting 140 MGD (million gallons a day)

NEW DELHI: Many months and many meetings later, the fate of the much talked about agreement to be signed by Delhi and Uttar Pradesh over sharing of water for the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant here in the Capital continues to hang in balance.

While both the States even after protracted discussions are yet to announce a date for signing of the memorandum of understanding, the Delhi Jal Board authorities claim that some headway has been made on the water sharing issue.

Allaying fears that the two States had failed to reach a consensus on the issue, Delhi Jal Board Chief Executive Officer Arun Mathur said the two sides were working to take the issue to its logical conclusion.

“Differences narrowed”

“The areas of difference have narrowed down and both sides are working on the issue expeditiously. We are hopeful of signing the deal in a few weeks from now,” he said.

After the change of leadership in Uttar Pradesh in May 2007, Delhi was hopeful of getting the deal inked for allocating 140 MGD (million gallons a day) of water for the Sonia Vihar plant, but even eight months later the wait continues. According to sources, the Central Water Commission had recently convened a meeting with the two sides to iron out the differences. It was also mentioned that the two sides are now awaiting the decision of their respective governments on the suggestions mooted in the draft of the MoU.

“Delhi has finally agreed that if the supply of water from Tehri dips, then Uttar Pradesh can withhold about one cumec of water from its share on the condition that the total drop is more than 10 cumec. Also, Delhi can buy the withheld quantum from UP’s share,” sources said.

“This suggestion has been put forth to both the State Governments for their approval. Once clearance is received, the MoU will be signed without any delay,” he added.

The fact that Delhi managed to get Uttar Pradesh to sign the agreement for the sharing of the Ganga water for the Bhagirathi water treatment plant this past October has also aroused expectations of firming the deal.

“The Bhagirathi MoU was pending since 1983, getting UP to sign the deal was a major accomplishment for the Delhi Jal Board, which is now hopeful of repeating the feat,” sources said.

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