Raw water shortage hits supply in Delhi, CM orders action

NEW DELHI: As Delhi faces an acute water shortage, chief minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday reviewed the situation and directed officials to work on a war footing to ensure adequate drinking water supply. She also spoke to Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini, who assured “a minimum supply of 1,000 cusecs through the Munak Canal”.

The review came amid a drop in Yamuna levels, reducing raw water availability by 80-100 million gallons per day (MGD). This has put pressure on treatment plants and widened the gap between peak summer demand of about 1,250 MGD and current supply of 900-950 MGD.

At the meeting, attended by water minister Parvesh Verma, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) vice-chairperson Satish Upadhyay and senior officials, the CM assessed water availability, plant output and supply measures. Officials said over 980 tankers are making around 6,000 trips daily, with smaller vehicles deployed in congested areas. Additional borewells in Yamuna Khadar have added 10.5 MGD to supply.

Gupta directed officials to increase tanker deployment where needed and act against leakages. “Every single drop of water is precious, and wastage will not be accepted,” she said.

Delhi depends on Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for over 85% of its water. Against a demand of 1,250 MGD water, Delhi is currently receiving only 900-950 MGD because a sharp drop in Yamuna water levels has reduced raw water availability at critical water treatment plants, forcing supply cuts across several parts of the city.

“The water level at Wazirabad has fallen from 674.5 ft to around 668 ft, cutting production by 80-100 MGD,” said Verma, adding that additional raw water is being diverted from the Carrier Line Canal through the twin mains system, while emergency pumping from the riverbed is adding about 40 MGD. Along with 130 MGD diverted from canal systems, these measures have helped sustain operations at Wazirabad and Chandrawal plants, he added.

“Despite constraints, DJB is maintaining production of about 900 MGD and supplying most households. Teams are working round the clock to manage distribution,” Verma further said.

Meanwhile, AAP and Congress have criticised the BJP govt over the crisis, sharing visuals of residents queuing at tankers and alleging supply of contaminated water. Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav warned of protests if the situation is not addressed.

The CM said 11,055 complaints were received on the DJB helpline in the past week, with over 8,500 resolved, and asked officials to clear the backlog.

She also outlined long-term measures, including an IIT Roorkee study on a dedicated pipeline from Haryana, desilting of the Yamuna near Wazirabad, new treatment plants and more borewells in Yamuna Khadar. Plans are also in place to introduce dual water supply using treated sewage for non-potable use and expand rainwater harvesting, with 75 structures being developed in CM Shri Schools and proposals for 500 new units and revival of 1,000 existing ones.