Delhi CM Atishi accuses Haryana of water terrorism over rising ammonia levels in Yamuna

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has written to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) requesting immediate intervention regarding the rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna River, which she claims are impacting Delhi's water supply.

In her letter, CM Atishi pointed out that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) water treatment plants are only designed to handle ammonia levels up to 1 ppm. She alleged that "the ammonia levels have steadily increased in the water coming from Haryana to Delhi via River Yamuna due to mixing of untreated sewage or industrial waste from Haryana, with levels rising over 7 ppm in the last two days, i.e., 700% beyond the treatable limit."

She further highlighted the serious consequences of these rising ammonia levels, stating, "These toxic levels of ammonia in water coming from Haryana have rendered Delhi's water treatment plants almost incapable of treating the water effectively, resulting in curtailment of water supply by 15 to 20% i.e. for approximately 34 lakhs people of Delhi. It is a known fact that high ammonia levels in drinking water can lead to a public health crisis causing ailments such as kidney damage, respiratory distress, and even long-term organ damage."

Atishi described the situation as "an act of water terrorism" and accused the Haryana government of intentionally disrupting Delhi's water supply to influence the upcoming elections. 

She said, "Despite knowing the toxic effects of releasing ammonia in raw water supply, the note of CEO of Delhi Jal Board leaves no doubt that it is due to the indiscriminate and deliberate dumping of untreated sewage and industrial waste from Haryana that is causing the present water supply crisis in Delhi. This is not an act of negligence; it is an act of water terrorism to deliberately impact the conduct of free and fair elections in Delhi."

In a post on social media platform X, CM Atishi wrote, "Ammonia levels continue to be 6 times above normal in Yamuna waters, at the point it is entering Delhi from Haryana. Such levels are extremely toxic for the human body. This water cannot be treated and supplied to the people of Delhi. Otherwise, their lives will be at risk."

She also requested an urgent meeting with the CEC to address the matter and ensure that the elections are not compromised by external factors. "I request you to give me time to meet you today itself regarding this urgent issue so that the elections in Delhi are not sabotaged by any external forces," CM Atishi wrote.

Earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini criticized the AAP’s allegations, stating that the AAP had failed to manage water distribution and was attempting to blame others. 

He remarked, "It is his (Arvind Kejriwal) nature and thinking to allege and then run away. There's a saying, 'thooko aur bhago (spit and run)'. This is what Kejriwal does. I said that you send your chief secretary and I will ask my chief secretary to check the quality of water at Sonipat from where it (Yamuna) is entering Delhi," Saini said.