Delhi Govt. Announces Water Supply Cut

Headlines

Over the past couple of days Several parts in South Delhi will now receive water only
once per day instead of twice per day, as part of a water rationing strategy
announced by Delhi Government on Tuesday (28^th May). This decision
affects areas like Greater Kailash, Lajpat Nagar, Panchsheel Park, Hauz Khas,
Chittaranjan Park, and adjacent locations. The new rule of Delhi Government
will remain in effect until the water supply situation improves.

Actual Case

South West and North Delhi, including Mehrauli and Chattarpur, are also facing same type
of water challenges this summer amid a prolonged heatwave in northwest India as
temperature in outskirts of Delhi soared closer to 50 degrees. The situation
has been worsening by Haryana’s Stopping of Yamuna water releases to Delhi
since the beginning of May, the minister claimed.

In the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) summer bulletin on Tuesday (28^th May), it
was reported that the city’s total water production was at 978 million gallons
per day (MGD), which is 22.05 MGD more than the actual capacity. Again, on Wednesday
(29^th May), it was reported that the city’s total water production
was at 976.5 million gallons per day (MGD), which is 20.53 MGD more than the
actual capacity. If this issue continues then it will impact the overall supply.

In response, Minister Atishi blamed Haryana of not releasing Delhi’s share of
water since starting of May and announced various measures, including water
supply rationalization across the national capital. During a press conference,
Atishi highlighted that many Delhi areas are struggling with water shortages
and appealed to residents to use water frugally.

Government Decisions

Delhi minister Atishi, who handles the supply portfolio, has
issued directions to Delhi Jal Board to form 200 teams to monitor and reduce
cases of water wastage. These teams will visit across the
Delhi in residential areas and check if drinking water is being wasted.
Activities like washing cars with water from a hose pipe, continuous
overflowing water tanks, use of domestic water supply for commercial uses and
use of drinking water at construction sites will be considered to be wastage. This
type of activities will attract a ₹ 2,000 fine.

Technical Cause

When the amount of raw water decreases due to various factors,
the quantity that the treatment plants (WTP) produce and the water distributed
across the city also decrease. Then the limited tanker supply was being decrease,
while economically challenged families unable to afford bottled water had no
choice but to consume unclean water, risking disease.

How to support Govt.

Now a days Delhi is facing water crisis during this summer we asked
for “collective responsibility” and urged people not to wash their
vehicles or engage in wasteful activities. It is our duty that whoever is
getting sufficient supply should not use it wastefully. Please do not hose down
your vehicles from open pipes.

Conclusion

The water crisis in Delhi comes as the city is reeling from a
heatwave, with mercury touching 50
degrees Celcius in several parts. Addressing the
problem of water crisis in national capital Delhi requires a multi-dimensional
approach that combined infrastructure development, sustainable management
practices, pollution control and community engagement. While this type of challenges
exists over period of time, team efforts from government, civil society, and
the public are essential to ensure access to clean potable water for all
residents of the city.