In poll-bound Delhi, water seems to be a crucial issue which political parties have decided to take up quite seriously. In a similar endeavor, when the Delhi BJP unit, on Saturday, felicitated Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar, the latter’s reply was quite on a positive note. Khattar said his Government will contribute in resolving the Munak Canal issue soon to end the water woes of the national Capital. He said that he would approach the Centre to find ways to resolve water scarcity in Delhi and Haryana. It is noted that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly spoken to Khattar on the Munak Canal issue as the Delhi BJP have been demanding to resolve the water issue with Haryana in their bid to woo voters for the upcoming Assembly polls here.
“We will approach the Centre and find out the source of water from Punjab, Uttrakhand, Rajasthan and will try to supply water to the national Capital. Haryana will definitely contribute in resolving this matter as soon as possible,” he said. Noting that Haryana does not have its own source of water, the Chief Minister said that the Capital should also understand its requirements.
“Haryana also doesn’t have its own source of water. We have to take water from Punjab, Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh. There is also shortage of water in our State as the Yamuna is the only river on the Haryana-Delhi border,” Khattar said. The Delhi High Court had recently directed Haryana to release water into Munak Canal which could result in around 80 million gallons per day of water being saved that can be used by people here.
“You have to think that NCR is also developing as Delhi is growing. The water demand in Faridabad, Gurgaon is also increasing,” Haryana Chief Minister said, while stressing on the increasing water woes of his State.
Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday took up the issue of Munak Canal with Delhi l-t Governor Najeeb Jung. Water from the Munak Canal is expected to be supplied to the water treatment plants which cater to the residential areas of West and South Delhi. Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had also raised this matter with the Haryana Government to end water woes in several parts, especially Dwarka.
Besides, the Delhi BJP leaders also urge the Haryana Chief Minister to build Government-owned residential accommodation at Delhi-Haryana border for the convenience of those living in Haryana from Delhi, and vice-a-versa. According to a source in the party, the proposal WAS made to Khattar on Saturday at his felicitation ceremony by the Delhi BJP unit.
