Delhi Water Crisis: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ministers Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help resolve the crippling water crisis in the national capital at the earliest even as the city’s water minister Atishi vowed to continue her hunger strike until BJP-ruled Haryana releases Delhi’s ‘rightful share’ of water.
Talking to reporters at a press conference, Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai said the AAP cabinet ministers held a meeting at the hunger strike site in Jangpura’s Bhogal, where they decided to write a letter to the prime minister seeking a solution to acute water shortage plaguing the city.
“We also invite Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, all officers to Wazirabad, Bawana to see the readings of flow metres and see the water levels of the river there. Data is available for the water released by Haryana and they can see for themselves how the water has reduced,” he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Water minister Atishi said she would continue her indefinite hunger strike, which entered the fourth day on Monday, despite adverse health effects until Haryana released the “rightful share of Delhi’s water”.
“My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping and my weight has gone down. Ketone level is very high which can have harmful effects in the long run. No matter how much my body suffers, I will continue the fast till Haryana releases water,” she said.
In a video message, the Delhi minister said she was medically examined by doctors on Sunday. Delhi Cabinet ministers told the media Atishi’s health is deteriorating due to the indefinite fast.
Atishi claimed Haryana has reduced Delhi’s share in Yamuna water by 100 million gallons per day (MGD) for the last three weeks and this has resulted in severe water scarcity which affects 28 lakh people in Delhi.
On Sunday, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena held a meeting a delegation of AAP leaders and told them that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has assured to look into whether his state can provide extra water to the city.
AAP Minister Gopal Rai said the party will carry out a candle light march on Monday evening in support of Atishi’s indefinite fast.
(With inputs from agencies)
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.
