As Haryana & Delhi fight over water, people suffer: HC on Munak canal

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over Munak canal water-sharing dispute, the Delhi High Court today said that "it is tragic that Haryana and Delhi were locked in a battle while 80 million gallons per day (MGD) are being lost and citizens deprived of drinking water.

A bench of justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul issued a notice to the Resident Commissioner of Haryana and posted the matter for November 26.

"This matter concerns a serious issue of saving a natural resource i.e water. We have been informed that Munak canal has been completed but not commissioned yet. The water supplied by Haryana to Delhi is through kachcha canal which results into seepage which translates to 50 percent of water loss.

"According to Delhi Jal Board, 80 mgd of water would be saved if water is channelled properly. There is a dispute between Delhi and Haryana with respect to sharing of water. It is tragic that two state governments are locked in battle while 80 millions gallons per day is being lost and citizens are being deprived of drinking water," the bench said.