Supreme Court orders status quo on Delhi water supply

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 25

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to maintain status quo on the supply of Yamuna water to Delhi till Friday.

Issuing notices to Haryana, Punjab and the BBMB, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde asked them to spell out their respective stand by Friday when the matter will be taken up for further hearing.

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has oved the top court for directions to the Haryana Government to stop the discharge of effluents into the Yamuna and release sufficient water to Delhi.

On behalf of DJB, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said water level had fallen in the national capital. Canal repair works should not be done in March and April when the water demand was at its peak, he said, adding the DJB had written several letters last month to Haryana but no response had been received.

“We have a 2-crore urban population. We have Lutyens Delhi, we have Aam Aadmis. This will cut down 25 per cent of water supply,” Singhvi submitted.

On behalf of the Haryana Government, senior counsel Shyam Divan said adequate water was being supplied.