As Delhi battles an intense water crisis amidst soaring temperatures, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed to the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to urge the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to assist in meeting Delhi’s escalating water demand.
Mr. Kejriwal emphasized the need for collective action rather than political disputes, stating that the water demand has surged due to the extreme heat while the supply from neighboring states has diminished.
“In this scorching heat, the water demand has increased a lot. And the water that Delhi used to get from the neighboring states has also been reduced. That means the demand has increased a lot and the supply has reduced. We all have to solve this together,” Mr. Kejriwal wrote in a post on X.
“I see that BJP colleagues are protesting against us. This will not solve the problem. I request everyone with folded hands that instead of doing politics at this time, let us come together and provide relief to the people of Delhi. If the BJP talks to its governments in Haryana and UP and gets some water for Delhi for a month, then the people of Delhi will greatly appreciate this step of the BJP,” he added.
Public Outcry Amid Acute Water Shortages
Residents across Delhi have voiced their frustration over the acute water shortage, even as the government has set up a “war room” and pledged “Har Ghar Jal” (Water for Every Home).
Several areas, including Chanakyapuri’s Sanjay Camp and Geeta Colony, are facing severe water shortages. In these blazing conditions, residents wait in long queues, hoping to fill at least one bucket from water tankers that often fail to meet the demand.
Rudal, a resident of Geeta Colony, lamented, “It has become a very big problem. Only one tanker comes, and the colony is so big. We have written two applications to the government, but who listens to the poor? We have to buy water to drink it. One bottle costs us 20 rupees.”
Another resident echoed similar concerns: “Only one tanker arrives, and with so many people waiting, we often don’t get any water and sometimes have to leave empty-handed. The water supply is available just once at 11 am. We either have to purchase it or find another way to manage.”
Residents complained that government officials observe their plight and take notes but seldom return with solutions. Sagar, another resident, pointed out, “There are at least 4,000 to 5,000 people in this area. One tanker is not enough for so many people.”
Pushpa, from South Delhi’s Raju Park, expressed her distress, saying, “We all are very troubled with the water crisis. If we order a government tanker, it takes 20 days to come, and if we order a private tanker, we have to pay ₹1,800-2,000.”
Political Protests and High Temperatures
In response to the crisis, women workers of the BJP staged a protest outside Delhi water minister Atishi’s residence on Tuesday, criticizing the Kejriwal government for the ongoing water shortages.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s Met Department reported that the national capital is expected to see a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius on Friday. On Thursday, Ayanagar in Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the water crisis.
As the city continues to grapple with this severe water shortage, the need for cooperation and effective measures becomes increasingly urgent to provide relief to the residents of Delhi.