Cut water supply to VIPs if there is shortage, Kejriwal tells Delhi Jal Board

The Delhi CM blames Haryana for not cooperating with the state by sharing water

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday told Delhi Jal Board (DJB) that if there was a shortage of water in the city, to cut supply to all VIPs and not just the people of Delhi.

Speaking at the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal said, "In case of water shortage, I have asked the Delhi Jal Board to cut supply not only of the poor, but of the VIPs as well - the ministers of Central and state governments."

"Barring the prime minister, President, hospitals, embassies and emergency services, cut supply for everyone, including me," he added.

With the onset of summer and the usual threat of water shortage looming large, Kejriwal blamed Haryana for not cooperating with the state by sharing water.

With water and electricity being the core issues around which AAP swept to power in the capital, Kejriwal said, "There should be no politics over water. This year if there is any shortage of water, then Delhi Jal Board should ensure that it is felt by everybody." The DJB has alleged ever since AAP came to power, the supply of water from Haryana through the Munak canal has dropped substantially and the production of potable water at its water treatment plants in Dwarka, Bawana, Nangloi and Haiderpur has dropped considerably.

The current average demand for potable water in Delhi is around 1,100 million gallons per day (mgd) and the DJB supplies around 800 mgd water across the city after treating raw water in its treatment plants.

The demand is projected to touch around 1,400 mgd by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan in 2017. Delhi relies heavily on neighbouring states, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, for raw water.