The Delhi Government on Wednesday announced that a Rs 2,000 fine would be imposed on anyone found to be wasting water — washing cars with a hose, letting their water tanks overflow or using private connections for commercial activity. The announcement comes as the national Capital faces a water crisis and soaring temperatures. Several neighborhoods in South Delhi will now receive water only once daily instead of twice, as part of a water rationing strategy.
Dry and hot westerly winds continued to buffet Delhi on Wednesday, with certain parts of the city reaching nearly 48-49 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, while many areas recorded over 45 degrees Celsius.
The move comes amid an “acute shortage” of water faced by Delhi with Water Minister Atishi accusing Haryana of not releasing Delhi’s share of water from the Yamuna River. The fine will be imposed for using hoses to wash cars, overflowing water tanks and use of domestic water for construction and commercial purposes, Atishi said.
“There is an acute heatwave in Delhi and a shortage of water supply since Haryana is not releasing Delhi’s share of water. Under these circumstances, the conservation of water becomes extremely important,” an order signed by the Delhi minister said.
The minister directed the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) CEO to immediately deploy 200 teams across the city to implement the measures to check water wastage.
These teams will be deployed from 8 am on Thursday and impose fines on anyone found wasting water. The teams will also disconnect any illegal water connections on construction sites or commercial establishments. This comes a day after Atishi accused Haryana of not releasing Delhi’s share of water since May 1 and said the government will be implementing a slew of measures including rationalising supply of water in the national Capital.
“Fines will be imposed on anyone washing cars with pipes or with overflowing water tanks. Illegal water connections at construction sites and at commercial establishments will be disconnected,” the minister posted on X on Wednesday.
“These teams shall be deployed from 8 am tomorrow morning (30.05.2024), and shall impose a fine of 22000 on anyone found wasting water; and shall disconnect any illegal water connections on construction sites or commercial establishments,” the directive read.
In the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) summer bulletin, it was reported that the city’s total water production was at 978 million gallons per day (MGD), with Wazirabad producing 110 MGD against a capacity of 131 MGD. Although there was a slight improvement from Monday’s production of 969.32 MGD, Wazirabad’s issues continue to impact the overall supply.
BJP leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri blamed the severe water shortage on the incompetence of the AAP government, pointing fingers at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Water Minister Atishi. Bidhuri criticized the government’s failure to manage the water crisis.
