DJB to approach Supreme Court as city apprehends water crisis

New Delhi, Feb 20: As water supply may be "significantly affected in Delhi in next one-two days due to Jat protest in Haryana, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today directed Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to approach Supreme Court immediately seeking urgent hearing over the crisis.

Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra today held an emergency meeting with DJB officials and decided to rationalise water supply till the situation is normal. Mishra said that protestors have broken gates of Munak canal due to which water supply will be affected across the national capital.

"The Delhi CM has directed DJB to approach the apex court immediately to seek an urgent hearing as water crises may prevail if supply is not made normal at the earliest," said a senior government official. Kejriwal talked to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Haryana counterpart M L Khattar to discuss the situation.

"Spoke to Haryana CM. He has assured that he will immediately send army to ensure safety of munak canal(sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. In another tweet, Kejriwal said, "Am worried about impact of Jat agitation on Delhi esp Delhi's water supply. Sought time from Rajnath ji".

"Have spoken to HM about Munal canal crisis. He has assured me to direct Army Chief and do the needful to avoid water crisis in Delhi," Deputy CM Manish Sisodia also tweeted.

Fresh incidents of violence were today reported in Haryana as the Jat stir for quota intensified with protestors torching a railway station in Jind even as the Army conducted a flag march in two curfew-bound districts and used helicopters to reach parts of the blocked Rohtak district.

As the violence by Jat protestors demanding quota continued unabated, Chief Minister Manohar Khattar issued a fresh appeal to the people to maintain peace.

PTI