Yamuna water level down, govt says Haryana choking supply
NEW DELHI: Heaping more misery on Delhi residents already sweltering from an intense heatwave, the water levels in Yamuna continued to plummet on Tuesday -- the level at Wazirabad was 669 feet, 5.5 feet below the desired levels of 674.5 feet -putting a strain on Delhi’s water supply infrastructure.
Water minister Satyendar Jain held an on-site review at the Wazirabad barrage on Tuesday and blamed neighbouring Haryana for the water crisis. “Due to the Haryana government’s insufficient water release, the water level at Wazirabad barrage has dropped from its typical 674.5 feet to this year’s lowest of 669 feet. It is one of the most important water sources for north and west Delhi. Due to a lack of supply from Haryana, the water treatment plants in Delhi are currently running at a fraction of their peak capability,” he said.
Haryana, on its part, said Delhi is being provided its share of water. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said Delhi is being given 1,050 cusecs of water, which is its due share.
In a communication sent by Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to Haryana on Tuesday, the water utility stated that the river has gone almost dry at Wazirabad pond and water production is down by 55Mgd(million gallons per day).
A water stressed city, Delhi gets the majority of its raw water supply from neighbouring states -- Ganga supply from Uttar Pradesh,
Yamuna water from Haryana and water from Punjab’s Bhakra Nangal dam.
In last one week, the DJB has issued three advisories cautioning residents that supply would get affected on May 13, 15 and 17.
Anand Maurya, a resident of Model Town Phase 1, said his neighbourhood has been getting erratic supply for the last one week or so.
“We are facing a lot of trouble in going about our daily chores due to the water shortage,” Maurya said.
MUMBAI: As it completes fifty years of running, Mumbai-delhi Rajdhani Express, one of the most popular trains, will be getting an upgrade with its coaches being replaced with Vande Bharat coaches.
The Rajdhani express was introduced on May 17, 1972 connecting the financial capital of the country Mumbai with the country’s capital, Delhi. Initially, the train consisted of four chair car coaches, one air-conditioned (AC) first class and two AC sleeper class coaches. In 1975, the frequency of the train was increased to three days. In 1981, the number of coaches in the train was increased to 18.
The premium train was introduced with upgraded in 2003 with the passenger safety Linke Hofmann Busch(lhb) coaches. Currently, the train completed the journey between Mumbai and New Delhi in 15 hours and 32 minutes. Initially, the route was covered in 19 hours. Further, the Railways is expecting to reduce the travel time to 12 hours with its plan to increase the speed of the train to 160 kmph.
To commemorate the event, Western Railway on Tuesday revealed a postal cover and presented souvenir tickets and mementos to passengers travelling by the express.
DELHI-MUMBAI RAJDHANI EXP COMPLETES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE