The Haryana government on Monday agreed to find a positive solution to the drinking water problem in the Capital. “We will discuss all the issues related to the water crisis and come up with a solution taking into account the interests of Delhi and Haryana,” Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khatar said after a meeting with Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu.
The drinking water problem was discussed at length at the meeting convened by Mr. Naidu which was attended by Mr. Khattar and Irrigation Minister of Haryana, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and senior officials of the Urban Development Ministry and the governments of Delhi and Haryana.
The meeting discussed allocation of waters of the Ravi-Beas and Yamuna rivers, and the proportion to be released to different water treatment plants in Delhi as also the directions of the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court regarding the availability of water in the Capital. The agreement on construction of the Munak Canal for carrying Delhi’s share of water and the contribution made by the Delhi government towards that was also discussed. “The L-G and the Chief Secretary of Delhi... sought implementation of the orders of the Delhi High Court. Factoring in an earlier order of the Supreme Court in 1996, we shall very shortly take a positive decision in the best interests of the people of Delhi and Haryana,” said Mr. Khattar.
Later, Mr. Naidu reviewed the progress of different projects and proposals pertaining to Delhi with Mr. Jung, MPs from Delhi, mayors and chief executives of municipal bodies and DDA, and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials.
On the issue of the water supply problem in Dwarka , it was decided that DDA would immediately make an advance payment of Rs. 50 crore to DJB besides providing an inventory of assets after which the latter would take over water supply and sewerage in Dwarka.
(With inputs from PTI)
