NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today sought the cooperation of his Haryana counterpart ML Khattar for ensuring adequate supply of water in the national capital as he took up the long-pending issue of the Munak canal ahead of the onset of summer.
Urging Khattar to look into the matter personally so that the people of Delhi did not have to face water shortages in summer, Kejriwal, in a letter to the Haryana Chief Minister, also sought a meeting with him to discuss the issue.
"It has been brought to my notice that raw water releases by Haryana Irrigation Department in the Munak carrier-lined channel have suddenly been reduced substantially, leading to major disruptions in the production of drinking water supply at the water treatment plants of Delhi," Kejriwal told Khattar in the letter.
He also said that the matter has been repeatedly brought to the attention of the officers of Haryana Irrigation Department and Delhi Jal Board but the supply is yet to be restored.
"Now, with summer drawing closer, the continued reduction is supply is bound to lead to a crisis in Delhi," he said.
"I request you (Khattar) to urgently look into the matter personally and direct the officers concerned of Haryana Irrigation Department to restore the supply.
"I would also like to come to Chandigarh and meet you personally with my team of officers to discuss this issue. Kindly let me know a date and time of your convenience," Kejriwal further told Khattar.
Water from the Munak canal is to be supplied to water treatment plants which cater to the residential areas of west and south Delhi.
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit, too, had raised the issue with Haryana government for ending the water woes in several areas of Delhi, especially Dwarka.