Water crisis in Delhi: AAP pleads Haryana to release more water as ally Cong stages protest

The AAP government in Delhi has urged Haryana to release additional water into the Yamuna river on humanitarian grounds as the water shortage worsens in the national capital.

Atishi, who is also Delhi's water minister, said that Delhi is facing a shortage of 70 million gallons per day (MGD) in production due to a lack of raw water in the Munak canal and Wazirabad reservoir.

The normal water production of around 1,002 MGD in Delhi went down to 932 MGD on Friday because of a lack of raw water, she said.

"The Delhi government has appealed to Haryana to release additional water for the people of the city on humanitarian grounds," the minister said and added that issues related to share of Yamuna water can be discussed after heatwave conditions abate.

She said no solution to the water crisis in Delhi could be found during the meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board on Friday.

Himachal Pradesh is ready to provide the water that was not used by it to Delhi, she claimed.

"I spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on phone and he assured me cooperation," the minister said.

Meanwhile, Congress organised 'matka phod' protest in the national capital over the water crisis.

Carrying earthen pots on their heads and Congress flags, the protesters raised slogans against the Delhi government and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Later, they threw the pots on the ground.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, who also joined the protests, demanded a special session of the assembly to discuss the issue.

He had alleged on Friday that the Delhi government had not taken effective steps to address the water shortage in the city due to which, people had to run after water tankers.

Meanwhile, its INDIA bloc ally, the Congress party, staged a protest in Delhi's Yusuf Sarai against the water crisis in the national capital.

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