A Vacation Bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan ordered Himachal Pradesh to release the water the following day, with prior notification to the Haryana government.
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NEW DELHI: On Thursday (6th June): The Supreme Court acknowledged the urgent water shortage in Delhi and instructed the Himachal Pradesh Government to release 137 cusecs of water to meet the drinking water needs of the national capital amid the heatwave affecting the northern Indian plains.
A Vacation Bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan ordered Himachal Pradesh to release the water the following day, with prior notification to the Haryana government.
Additionally, the Court mandated that Haryana should not obstruct the water flow from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi but should instead facilitate its passage.
“Given that Himachal has no objections, we direct that it transfer 137 cusecs of water from upstream so that it reaches the Hathnikund barrage and subsequently flows to Delhi through Wazirabad. The State of Haryana shall ensure the unimpeded flow of this surplus water from Hathnikund to Wazirabad, so Delhi residents receive drinking water,” the Court ordered.
The Court also instructed the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to measure the water flow for its onward journey.
“In light of the urgency, we direct Himachal Pradesh to release the water tomorrow with prior notification to Haryana, and the UYRB shall measure the water for onward supply. A status report should be submitted on Monday, and the matter is listed for Monday,” the Court stated.
The Supreme Court was hearing a petition from the Delhi Government requesting directives for the State of Haryana to facilitate the water supply from Himachal Pradesh to the national capital.
Previously, the Bench had instructed the Central government to convene a meeting of all stakeholders in the Upper Yamuna River Board to address Delhi’s water demands.
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Himachal Pradesh’s counsel had indicated the State’s readiness to supply water to Delhi through its canal network.
The Delhi Government, in its plea, sought additional water as an emergency measure during the ongoing heatwave, with temperatures in the national capital exceeding 50 degrees Celsius.
Case Title: [Government of NCT of Delhi v. State of Haryana and ors].
