Jat stir: Delhi dodges major water crisis but woes far from over

The Capital escaped by the skin of its teeth from a grim water crisis on Monday after the army took control of the 22-km Munak canal, which was sieged by the rampaging Jat protestors.

Constructed seven years ago to carry 700 cusecs of Yamuna water to Delhi every day, the canal was damaged extensively in different locations during the Jat stir. It will take days to repair, sparking fears of continued shortage.

“Water from Haryana comes to Delhi via the Munak canal as well as drain number 8. When the canal gates were closed and damaged by Jat protesters, Haryana diverted supply through drain 8. It is highly contaminated with unusual levels of ammonia,” city water minister and Delhi Jal Board chairperson Kapil Mishra said.

Supply marginally resumed in the city on Monday evening but fluctuating contamination levels at the Wazirabad pond remained a major cause of worry.

“The Wazirabad treatment plant has started functioning with around 25% capacity, which is expected to go up to 50%. Chandrawal and Okhla plants will start soon too. Contamination at Wazirabad pond has been controlled. However, we might have to close treatment operations again on Tuesday morning,” Mishra said.

“Haryana has released water through drain 2 and 8. It is expected to reach Wazirabad on Tuesday morning but the quality of this old drain is questionable,” he sai

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