BJP MP Yogender Chandoliya has strongly criticised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, attributing the ongoing water crisis in the national capital to the mismanagement by Kejriwal's government.
Chandoliya claimed that Delhi has been grappling with water issues for the past decade, a situation he blames on the current administration's policies and actions.
He specifically pointed to Water Minister Atishi, accusing her of misleading the public. Chandoliya stated that the Delhi Jal Board, which was once profitable until 2013, is now in significant debt, amounting to Rs 82,000 crores.
He alleged that this massive financial loss is a result of money being funnelled to influential individuals through the tanker mafia. He further criticised Atishi, urging her to stop blaming Haryana for the water woes in Delhi.
On the same day, Water Minister Atishi addressed the media, attributing the water shortage to the severe heatwave conditions in Delhi. She emphasised that the extreme heat has exacerbated the water crisis, depleting water levels in key reservoirs and canals.
Atishi noted that the Wazirabad pond is nearly dry, and the Munak canal, crucial for water supply, is also running low. Consequently, water production in Delhi has dropped significantly, with the city's water treatment plants producing less than before.
In response to the situation, Union Minister and BJP leader Gajendra Singh Shekhawat criticised the Delhi government's distribution system, labelling it an "absolute failure." Shekhawat, who previously served as the 'Jal Shakti' minister, stressed that the primary responsibility for the water crisis lies with the Delhi government.
The water crisis in Delhi has been exacerbated by record-high temperatures and intense heat waves, pushing the demand for water to unprecedented levels. As temperatures soar to nearly 50 degrees Celsius in some areas, the city's water supply struggles to meet the surging demand.
Political tensions have heightened as a result of the crisis, with BJP workers staging protests against the AAP-led Delhi government and Water Minister Atishi. They aimed to draw attention to the severe water shortages affecting the capital. Similarly, Congress workers held a 'Matka Phod' protest in Delhi's Krishna Nagar area, criticising both the AAP and BJP governments for their handling of the water situation.
The Supreme Court recently weighed in on the matter, acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of water sharing between states. The court refrained from intervening directly, instead leaving the decision to the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) regarding Delhi's request for additional water.
The Delhi Government, in a recent affidavit, highlighted the operation of the tanker mafia on the Haryana side of the Yamuna River. They argued that the AAP government lacks the jurisdiction to act against these illegal activities and called on Haryana to take responsibility for ensuring a consistent water supply to Delhi.
As the water crisis continues, residents of Delhi remain caught in the middle of a political blame game, with both state and central governments pointing fingers at each other. The pressing need for a sustainable solution to the water shortages becomes more urgent with each passing day of extreme heat.
Follow us
