Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on June 6 allowed Himachal Pradesh to release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it and directed the Haryana Government to facilitate the flow of the surplus water from Hathnikund barrage to Wazirabad. This was to mitigate the drinking water crisis in the national capital.
vacation bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan asked Himachal Pradeshto release surplus water on June 7 with prior intimation to Haryana.
It asked the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to measure water released by Himachal at Hathnikund inHaryana. “ “Haryana should not obstruct the onward flow of water toDelhi from Himachal but should instead facilitate the same,” the bench said.
The apex court said, “Considering the urgency, we direct Himachal Pradesh to release 137 cusecs water from upstream so water reaches Hathnikund barrage and reaches Delhithrough Wazirabad. The surplus water shall be released by the State of Himachal Pradesh tomorrow with prior intimation. The State of Haryana shall facilitate the flow of water from Hathnikund to Wazirabad so it reaches Delhiwithout obstruction so the residents get drinking water.”
The bench sought a status report in this regard by June 10.
Amid the water shortage in the nationa; Capital, the Delhi Govt had approached the Supreme Court to get immediate additional water from Haryana.