Supreme Court Orders Himachal Pradesh to Release Surplus Water to Delhi by June 7 - 2024-06-06

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Himachal Pradesh to release surplus water to Delhi on June 7, ensuring prior notification to Haryana. Additionally, the court instructed Haryana to facilitate the uninterrupted flow of water to Delhi.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court issued a directive to the Delhi government, asking the concerned authorities to prevent any wastage of water. The court also requested a status report from the Delhi government by Monday, June 10, to assess the measures taken to conserve water resources.

In addition, the apex court permitted Himachal Pradesh to release 137 cusecs of surplus water currently in its possession. Furthermore, the court instructed Haryana to ensure the uninterrupted transfer of this surplus water from Hathnikund to Wazirabad, thereby aiding in the mitigation of the drinking water crisis in Delhi.

To resolve the water crisis being faced by residents of Delhi, the Supreme Court had asked the Upper Yamuna River Board to call for an emergent meeting of all stakeholder states on June 5 and submit the Minutes of the Meeting as well as the suggested steps by June 6.

Notably, the BJP government of Haryana has maintained "There is no shortage of agreed supply of water from it to National Capital Territory of Delhi", the Congress govt of Himachal Pradesh volunteered to supply excess water available with it to Delhi through carrier canals in Haryana. Delhi's governing party AAP and Congress are part of the INDI Alliance for Lok Sabha polls.

During the proceedings, the bench expressed concerns over the delay in addressing the water scarcity, particularly highlighting the potential solution of utilising excess water from Himachal Pradesh . AM Singhvi, representing Delhi, emphasised the importance of utilising available resources, citing the possibility of channelling water from the Beas River through Haryana canals.

Singhvi lauded Himachal Pradesh for its willingness to cooperate, highlighting the importance of grace and humility in resolving the crisis. However, the counsel for Haryana raised concerns about the feasibility of the proposal, citing increased water requirements in the state.

In response, Singhvi emphasised Delhi's urgent need for water, expressing willingness to accept any amount that could be provided. The bench, led by Justice Mishra , sternly warned against politicising the issue, emphasising that their focus is solely on implementing the recommendations of the boards and not on any particular petition.

Furthermore, the bench stressed the importance of monitoring the release of surplus water from Himachal Pradesh to ensure compliance. Justice Mishra emphasised the need for accountability and urged all parties to refrain from politicising the situation.