Soz urges Mulayam to release 300 cusecs of water to Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 5 (UNI) Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to urgently release 300 cusecs of water for Sonia Vihar plant in Delhi from the present level of 100 cusecs.

In his letter to Mr Yadav, Prof Soz said the techno-economic clearance for Tehri Dam was granted subject to the agreement that UP will provide 300 cusecs of water for meeting Delhi's drinking water needs. UP had also agreed with the Power Ministry to release 300 cusecs of water to Delhi in May 2006.

Taking exception to UP's arguments that the reduced outflow to Delhi was because of reduction of outflows from Tehri Dam, the Central Water Commission from its discharge data showed that it was about 6000 cusecs and it was strange that a small requirement of 300 cusecs to Sonia Vihar plant was not being met. Prof soz said drinking water for common people was the basic human right and instruction should be issued at the earliest to release the agreed quantum of water, an official release said.

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