delhi-govt-sets-up-war-room-to-fight-water-crises

The Delhi government is taking proactive measures to address the ongoing water shortage exacerbated by an intense heatwave. On Friday, Delhi Minister Atishi announced the establishment of a central war room within the Delhi Jal Board to monitor and manage the supply of water tankers across the capital.

 

The war room, which will be overseen by a senior IAS officer, aims to streamline the distribution of water to areas in dire need. Minister Atishi also introduced a helpline number, '1916', for residents to request water tankers directly. This central command and control center will ensure that water tanker requests are efficiently processed and dispatched.

 

Atishi highlighted the urgent need for this initiative, citing the severe heatwave and water scarcity. Starting June 5, each of Delhi's 11 water zones will have an ADM and SDM level officer stationed to form quick response teams, addressing water shortage issues promptly.

 

In addition to these measures, special teams from the Delhi Jal Board’s electricity department are being formed to prevent borewell malfunctions. To further conserve water, 200 enforcement teams will be deployed to ensure no wastage occurs.

 

To mitigate water misuse, the Delhi government has imposed strict bans on the use of potable water for construction sites and car repair or wash centers. Minister Atishi emphasized that any construction site found using potable drinking water will be sealed by the MCD. Similarly, car repair and washing centers using Delhi Jal Board water will face immediate closure.

 

Atishi appealed to the residents of Delhi to cooperate in conserving water during this critical period. She pointed out that the current crisis is a result of both the heatwave and the Haryana government’s failure to release Delhi’s allocated water share.

 

Despite multiple discussions, the water supply from Haryana has not improved, leading to potential legal action by the Delhi government if the situation remains unresolved.

 

Earlier in the day, reports from various parts of Delhi highlighted the severity of the water crisis, with residents waiting in long queues for water tankers. Minister Atishi reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring Delhi receives its fair share of water and urged the Haryana government to fulfill its obligations.

 

The new measures underscore the Delhi government's dedication to tackling the water crisis and ensuring that residents have access to the essential resources they need during this challenging time.