Supreme Court Directs Himachal Pradesh to Release Surplus Water to Delhi Amid Severe Water Crisis - 2024-06-06

In a major relief to the residents of Delhi, the Supreme Court on Thursday (June 6) directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to help the national capital tide over its severe water crisis.

The apex court said the Himachal Pradesh government has agreed to release the surplus water and asked the Haryana government to facilitate the uninterrupted flow of this water through the Wazirabad barrage in Delhi.

The court directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release the water on Friday with prior intimation to Haryana . It also asked the Delhi government to ensure that there is no wastage of water during this period.

The Supreme Court's directive came on a plea filed by the Delhi government seeking additional water supply from neighboring states like Haryana , Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh to address the acute water shortage faced by the city due to the ongoing heatwave.

The court noted that during a meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) held on Wednesday, all members agreed that both Delhi and Haryana are experiencing extreme heat and need water. The court said there should be no politics over water and asked Haryana to facilitate the flow of water from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi.

"Since Himachal has no objection, we direct that it shall transfer 137 cusecs from upstream so water reaches Hathnikund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad. As and when the surplus water is released by the State of Himachal Pradesh with prior intimation, the State of Haryana shall facilitate the flow of water from Hathnikund to Wazirabad so it reaches Delhi without obstruction so the residents get drinking water," the court said.

The Delhi government has enforced several measures to tackle the water crisis, including a ban on the usage of potable water for car washing and its use at construction sites, as well as a fine of Rs 2,000 "on anyone found wasting water". The city has been reeling under a severe water shortage due to the intense heatwave conditions in the region.