Delhi water crisis: SC disposes of Writ Petition, asks Upper Yamuna River Board to take decision

The Supreme Court on Thursday disposed of the Writ Petition seeking water from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh into Delhi. The apex court ordered Delhi to submit an application for the supply of water on humanitarian grounds by 5 pm today.

The issue of sharing Yamuna water between states is a complex and sensitive issue and this court does not have expertise, the Supreme Court said.

It further said that the issue should be left to the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB). SC directed UYRB to convene a meeting tomorrow with all parties and take a decision expeditiously on the matter.


The court also accused Himachal Pradesh of providing wrong information after the state admitted that it did not have surplus 136 cusecs of water.

The Court refused to issue any direction to the State of Haryana.


The top court had said on Wednesday , “People are suffering, we are seeing visuals on every news channel.” The court has asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit stating measures it has taken to control water wastage in the capital.

The apex court had asked the Delhi government, “What measures have you taken to control water wastage if water scarcity is a recurring problem in summers?”

SC accused the Delhi government of making false claims. "Why were false statements made before this court? Water is coming from Himachal Pradesh then where is the water going in Delhi? There is so much spillage, tanker mafias etc.. what measures have you taken in this regard," the court said.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi earlier on June 12 wrote to the Chief Secretary directing him to ensure that these teams monitor and inspect the main water distribution network from water sources to the water treatment plants and from WTPs to primary Underground Reservoirs (UGRs).

These teams shall inspect the major pipelines to ensure that there is no leakage in any pipeline and if there is any leakage, it must be repaired within 12 hours. At this time of water shortage, not a single drop of water can be wasted.


Atishi also spoke to the VK Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, about the crisis. Saxena said that he had spoken to the Haryana government regarding the release of water and that the state had promised "all possible help."

Delhi has been facing a severe water crisis amid a prolonged heatwave. People are dependent on water tankers in several areas of the national capital.