Prof Soz urges UP Chief Minister to release water for Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) Union Minister of Water Resources Saifuddin Soz has urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to release 300 cusecs water from the Tehri Dam to ease the difficult drinking water situation in the national capital.

In a telephonic conversation with the UP Chief Minister yesterday, Prof Soz said ''the provision of drinking water was a crucial human responsibility of all governments, and we must jointly strive to help the citizens of Delhi by way of augmenting the water supply,'' an official release said today.

He felt that Delhi's water requirements were urgent and genuine and something needed to be done speedily, otherwise, there was every apprehension of the water crises deepening further.

Earlier, in a letter to the UP Chief Minister last month, the Union Minister had suggested that if it was not possible for UP to spare 300 cusecs for the present, it should, at least release 200 cusecs immediately to help Delhi Jal Board to tide over the present crises.

Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav assured Prof Soz that he would consider the matter afresh and let him know his answer soon.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had been apprised of the developments.

Meanwhile, Delhi government was also considering taking legal action against UP, to enforce an agreement with that state to give the city water for its Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant.

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