Delhi, Haryana officials discuss water sharing (The Hindu 12 June 2012)

Smriti Kak Ramachandran An official said the exercise was a “confidence building measure” Delhi Chief Secretary P. K. Tripathi met his counterpart from Haryana on Monday to resolve the ongoing water sharing crisis that has erupted since May. The meeting remained inconclusive as no details were shared on whether and when Haryana will restore Delhi's full supply of water, indicating that the city's water crisis is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. Describing the outcome of the meeting, an official said the exercise was a “confidence building measure”. Delhi and Haryana have been fighting over water sharing between the two States and the issue escalated on May 30, after Delhi accused Haryana of “arbitrarily” reducing the supply at Haiderpur. Delhi has been petitioning Haryana to release its full share of water so that production at the Haiderpur plant can be restored to its full capacity. The plant has been getting about 12-15 MGD less water as on date. On Monday after Mr. Tripathi met with his counterpart P. K. Chaudhery, officials said there has been no development to report, except that Haryana “assured of cooperation to improve the situation.” “We put forth our concerns, explaining that the water is Delhi's share and required for our drinking needs. Haryana officials assured us that the issue will be resolved. The meeting was a confidence building measure,” an official said. This is the second time this month that representatives of the two sides met and “nothing concrete” emerged. This past Friday, the Chief Ministers of both the States met and while several of issues were discussed, the contentious issue of water was skirted. “A letter was handed over to the Haryana side listing the problems being faced by Delhi and how Haryana was violating the court order on water sharing,” said an official. On being asked why Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who is also the chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board, did not broach the issue, the official said: “Talks at the official levels have been going on for sometime. A letter was also placed on record; there were other issues to be discussed, so the water problem was not taken up at the meeting.” Since May 30 several parts of Delhi, including Green Park, Pitampura, Rohini, Paschim Vihar, Delhi Cantonment, Rajouri Garden, Najafgarh, Moti Nagar, Uttam Nagar and Jankapuri have been facing a water shortage on account of dipped production at the Haiderpur water treatment plant. Delhi Jal Board that supplies water in the city blamed Haryana for reducing the water supply to Haiderpur because Delhi objected to Haryana's insistence on releasing water to the city through the Munak Canal, which is yet to be inaugurated and without the additional 80 MGD of water that Delhi is staking claims to. Munak Canal “Tensions escalated when Haryana said they will release water without the additional 80 MGD that was being lost in transit on account of leaks in the current canal. Delhi refused to allow the use of Munak Canal till the outstanding issue is resolved, in retaliation, Haryana arbitrarily reduced Delhi's supply,” said an official of the DJB. As per the agreement between the two States, Delhi should get 750 cusecs of water between March and June. For full production at Chandrawal and Wazirabad plants, Delhi should get 450 cusecs at the Wazirabad pond. Delhi also gets 371 cusecs from the Bhakra-Beas Management Board. “We need around 900 cusecs water, but get around 750. The Upper Yamuna River Board has clarified that 255 cusecs is for Delhi's consumptive use. By not providing Delhi its rightful share, Haryana is violating the Supreme Court orders that specify there should be enough water to maintain the pond level at 674.5 feet,” the DJB official said, dismissing Haryana's contention that it is facing a water shortage as well. • “Haryana assured of cooperation to improve the situation” • The second meeting this month; “nothing concrete” emerged