Munak water only for Commonwealth Games: Haryana

Delhi may finally get its rightful share from Munak canal, but only for the Commonwealth Games. After intervention from the Centre, Haryana has agreed to give Delhi 20 million gallons per day (MGD) water from whatever it will save due to Munak canal project. The state, however, continues to maintain that Delhi has no rightful claim on the Munak savings and should not expect any extra water from Haryana.

According to senior government officials, the change in Haryana’s stance came after the PMO intervened. ‘‘Twenty MGD water will be diverted to the Bawana water treatment plant that is ready for the last six years but is not operating due to lack of water. We will see what can be done in November since we cannot shut down the plant again,’’ said a DJB official.

According to Delhi officials, they have paid Haryana Rs 350 crore for the construction of 102-km Munak canal that would save a huge amount of water for the two states by cutting down on transit loss. Work started in 2003 and the canal in Haryana side is now complete. While Delhi was under the impression that it would get share in saved water, Haryana in August 2009 said it was ‘‘erroneous on the part of Delhi to claim the so-called savings from the construction of the (Munak) canal’’.

‘‘Not a drop out of any savings will be given to Delhi and the state should not waste its resources by constructing any treatment plant on this presumption,’’ said Haryana government.

As per a SC ruling, Haryana is required to supply as much water to Delhi as is needed to maintain the Wazirabad pond level at 674.5 feet. Currently, en route loss is around 30% and it will come down to about 5% once the Munak canal becomes operational. Based on an assumed saving of 80 MGD, Delhi would divert 20 MGD and 40 MGD for the underconstruction Okhla and Dwarka water treatment plants and another 20 MGD for the Bawana plant.

"Even if Haryana claims the Yamuna’s share, it has no claim on 40 MGD of the total 80 MGD water since that comes from Sutlej. We have spent money on the construction and it is quite clear that we should also get benefit from the savings. There is an MoU to this effect and Haryana cannot deprive us of our rightful share,’’ said a Delhi government official.

Cong, BJP workers clash

New Delhi: A verbal duel between workers of two major political parties turned ugly as they fought with each other over water supply in Sangam Vihar area of southeast Delhi. The police said four people were injured in the scuffle.

The incident was reported on Sunday night when some workers of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Congress clashed with each other over inadequate water supply in the area. Sources said some BJP workers were protesting against water and electricity problems in the area when they reached near a function organized by Congress workers. There was some argument and workers of both parties clashed with each other, said a senior police officer.

Police said they have registered cases under the relevant sections at Sangam Vihar and were investigating the case.