UP threatens to cut water supply to Delhi over Ganga pollution

PTI Updated - February 09, 2014 at 07:35 PM.

Alleging that Delhi was emptying its 16 drains into the Yamuna river which was later converging with the Ganga and polluting it, the UP government has issued a notice to Arvind Kejriwal government and threatened to cut water supply to the national capital.

Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Minister Shivpal Singh told reporters here on Sunday that the state government has issued a notice to Delhi on February 7, saying that the dirty water should be first treated and then released in the Yamuna river.

He said that UP gives 400 cusec water to Delhi and in return the neighbouring state was providing dirty water from 16 drains.

In case of non-cooperation by Delhi, the minister said that UP will divert the 400 cusec water, being given to national capital, to Agra and Mathura, which are facing water crisis. Singh said that he had also raised the issue before previous Sheila Dikshit government.

He said that the state has send a proposal to the Centre for cleaning of Ganga, Yamuna and Gomti rivers for which at least Rs 30,000 crore would be needed.

Published on February 9, 2014 14:05