Agra water supply may be snapped, warn authorities

, Feb 20: Civic authorities in Agra have warned that water supply in the city could be suspended in view of Yamuna river's already high

reaching levels much beyond treatment.

Both Agra Mayor Indrajeet Arya and MP Ram Shankar Katheria on Thursday threatened to sit on a 'dharna' to highlight the poor water quality that denizens of Agra have to contend with.

Manju Rani Gupta, general manager of the Agra Water Works, said water supply could be suspended any time.

The water being discharged into the Yamuna river from Okhla in the national capital was polluted and unsafe for consumption. People have been advised to boil and filter the water before consuming it, Gupta said.

Irrigation department sources said the water discharge has abruptly increased to 3,000 cusecs against the normal 100 cusecs. This heavy load of effluents has worsened the situation in downstream towns and cities.

Agra Mayor Indrajeet Arya on Thursday said he, along with all the corporators, would sit on 'dharna' - a sit-in protest - if the situation was not brought under control on an emergency basis.

The Lok Sabbha member from Agra, Ram Shankar Katheria said he too would join the protest.

IANS