Amid mounting attack on the Delhi government by BJP and Aam Admi Party over water scarcity, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today admitted that it was a matter of "shame" that many parts of the city had to reel under water shortage.
"Many parts of Delhi do not get water and it is a matter of shame for us. We do not have water. What can we do?" Dikshit said, addressing a function organised by industry chamber Assocham.
The Chief Minister blamed Haryana for water crisis in Delhi and accused the neighbouring state of not honouring its commitment to supply 80 mgd (million gallons per day) water from the Munak canal.
Describing the situation as "tough", Dikshit said inspite of severe water crisis, her government managed to give "some water" to the citizens by ensuring equitable distribution.
"At least, I have not heard anybody saying that someone died because he was thirsty," she said.
The Munak canal was constructed by Haryana with financial assistance of around Rs 400 crore given by the Delhi government on the condition that the national capital will be supplied 80 mgd water from it.
But later, Haryana refused to supply water to the city. As both sides failed to settle the dispute, the Prime Minister had set up a GoM headed by then Home Minister P Chidambaram in 2011.
Another GoM headed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde was set up by the Prime Minister couple of months back after both the states refused to accept the recommendations of the previous GoM.
"We spent lot of money and acquired land for construction of a tunnel to bring water from Haryana. The tunnel has been constructed but it is lying unutilised for past seven years. There is a huge tussle going on (between Haryana and Delhi). Haryana says it will not give water. These are issues in which we do not have any control," Dikshit said.
The current average demand of potable water in Delhi is around 1,100 mgd (million gallons per day) and currently Delhi Jal Board supplies around 800 mgd water across the city after treating raw water in its treatment plants.
The demand is projected to touch around 1,400 mgd by end of the 12th Five-Year Plan in 2017. Delhi relies heavily on neighbouring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for the supply of raw water.
