Yamuna board to hear water dispute between Haryana and Delhi today
NEW DELHI: The Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB), which regulates the share of Yamuna’s water among five beneficiary states, would meet on Wednesday to settle the water-sharing dispute between Delhi and Haryana.
The board is expected to take a decision to settle the dispute early next week. Delhi had approached the board on May 16 on the Supreme Court’s directions.
“The URYB will hold a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to hear our case. We had approached the board on May 15 after the directions of the Supreme Court,” said Dinesh Mohaniya, vice-chairman of Delhi Jal Board.
The Supreme Court had on May 11 slammed the UYRB for not doing its job pertaining to distribution of river water among the beneficiary states, asking it why the court should do its work. The DJB had initially moved the Supreme Court against Haryana.
A senior board official said a committee has been formed to hear the two states. A decision would be taken in the board’s meeting likely to be held on Monday.
“On Wednesday, representatives from the two states – Delhi and Haryana – have been called. We will hear them. A committee has been formed. A decision would be taken by the board, expectedly on Monday,” said a senior official of the UYRB.
A water crisis is looming over Delhi as Haryana is likely to curtail supply to the Capital from this week.
Apprehending a water crisis during peak summer and law and order problems, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had sent letters to the prime minister and the chief minister of Haryana last week. On Monday, Haryana assured that it would continue to supply water for another 10 days, providing a respite.
“As of now Haryana is giving us the amount of water we were receiving. The situation is under control,” said Mohaniya.
Haryana supplies 1,133 cusecs of water to Delhi.
A Delhi Jal Board official said Delhi has been facing shortage of drinking water supply since December 30, 2017.
“Initially the problem was because of increased ammonia levels which the Wazirabad treatment plant could not handle and supply had to be curtailed. Then again from April 2, 2018, Haryana reduced supply by around 120 cusecs,” said the DJB official.