TheDelhi government has appealed to Haryana to discharge additional water into the Yamuna on humanitarian grounds amid water crisis in the national capital. Delhi’s water minister Atishi also told a press conference here that the capital is facing a shortage of 70 million gallons per day (MGD) in production due to lack of raw water in the Munak canal and Wazirabad reservoir.

While informing that senior Delhi government officials will meet Haryana government officials on Sunday, AAP leader said, “In such a situation, we (Delhi) have requested Haryana on humanitarian grounds to give some additional water to Delhi. The Upper Yamuna River Board has advised Delhi and Haryana to hold a bilateral meeting and consider whether Haryana can give some extra water to Delhi. Also, Delhi government officials have talked to Haryana government officials. A delegation of senior Delhi government officials will go to Chandigarh on Sunday and meet Haryana officials.”

“We appeal to the Haryana government on humanitarian grounds that, considering the current situation in Delhi, the Haryana government should give some extra water to Delhi,” she appealed and added that issues related to share of Yamuna water can be discussed after heatwave conditions abate.

The Minister also shared that the capital is facing a shortage of 70 million gallons per day (MGD) in production due to lack of raw water in the Munak canal and Wazirabad reservoir. The normal water production of around 1,002 MGD in Delhi went down to 932 MGD on Friday because of lack of raw water, she said, “In response to the emergency, the Delhi Jal Board has connected borewells in West Delhi to underground reservoirs and increased the number of tanker trips to 10,000 daily.”

Atishi has also called for an emergency meeting with officials to address the crisis and secured a promise of assistance from Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. “I had a phone conversation with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh ‘Sukhu’ on Saturday morning. In this conversation, the Chief Minister of Himachal has assured that Himachal is ready to provide whatever information the Upper Yamuna River Board needs from Himachal as soon as possible. He said that Himachal Pradesh has extended a helping hand to Delhi. It may take some time for the Upper Yamuna River Board to make a decision,” she said.

In a meeting with Delhi Jal Board officials on Saturday, it was decided that an assessment be done of areas not getting any water and the number of water tankers be increased, she said. Currently, DJB tankers are making around 10,000 trips in water scarce areas supplying 10 MGD of water per day. In some other areas like Bawana, Dwarka and Nangloi, emergency tube wells have been started to provide water to the local residents, she said.