New Delhi
The Supreme Court has directed the Upper Yamuna River Board to urgently convene a meeting on June 5 with all stakeholder states to address the water scarcity in Delhi. Responding to the plea from the Delhi government seeking additional water from Haryana, the bench scheduled a hearing for June 6 and requested minutes of the meeting and suggestions on actions taken.
Highlighting the severity of the situation due to extreme heat, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi emphasized the need to maintain water levels at the Wazirabad plant. The bench urged Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre and Haryana, to arrange a joint meeting of stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
While Mehta mentioned the ongoing consideration by the Upper Yamuna River Board, he also pointed out alleged water wastage in Delhi, stressing the need for conservation. Himachal Pradesh expressed readiness to provide water through its canal network via Haryana.
Amid the water shortage, Delhi approached the Supreme Court seeking immediate additional water from Haryana due to the acute crisis triggered by severe heat. The plea underscored the urgent need for Haryana to release surplus water to address the crisis in Delhi.
