News Brief
Delhi Residents Rely On Tankers Amid Water Crisis, Kejriwal Government Appeals to Supreme Court For Additional Supplies
Bhuvan Krishna
Jun 02, 2024, 11:37 AM | Updated 11:37 AM IST
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![Delhi is facing an acute water shortage. (Representative Image)](https://swarajya.gumlet.io/swarajya/2024-02/35d8d6b3-5ca7-4882-8e68-47bb0e6d8780/african_woman_pouring_water_recipient_outdoors.jpg?w=640&q=75&auto=format,compress&format=webp)
The national capital continues to struggle with a severe water crisis amid persistent heatwave conditions, forcing residents to rely on tankers for their daily water needs as per a report by Hindiustan Times.
Videos have emerged showing chaotic scenes in Okhla Phase 2, where residents scramble to collect water from a tanker, with some even climbing on top of the vehicle to secure their share. Another video shows residents with buckets at Sanjay camp in Chanakyapuri.
On Friday (31 May), the Arvind Kejriwal government petitioned the Supreme Court for additional water supplies from the neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
This has sparked a political clash between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs Haryana.
Haryana agriculture minister Kanwar Pal defended his state's actions, saying, "We are releasing water to the national capital as per the agreement, and even more, to prevent shortages. Accusations against Haryana for Delhi's mismanagement are unfounded."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also appealed to the BJP for assistance, suggesting that if the BJP could secure extra water from Haryana and UP, it would be greatly appreciated by Delhi residents.
Residents in colonies like Geeta Colony wait in long queues, hoping to fill at least one bucket as tankers often fail to meet the demand.
"It has become a major problem. Only one tanker comes, and the colony is very large. We have submitted two applications to the government, but no one listens to the poor. We have to buy drinking water, which costs 20 rupees per bottle," a Geeta Colony stated.
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Bhuvan Krishna is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
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