New Delhi: The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has reported a significant milestone in the city’s water production, reaching 1,004 million gallons per day (MGD) on Wednesday, marking the third consecutive day of consistent growth in Delhi’s overall water output.
This positive trend is attributed to stable raw water supply, coupled with a reduction in temperature from the previously unprecedented highs, indicating a promising trajectory for Delhi’s water management. In response to Delhi government’s appeal to the Supreme Court for additional water from neighbouring states, Himachal Pradesh has expressed willingness to contribute extra water to Delhi. While Himachal Pradesh does not directly supply water, it can augment the water flow in the tributaries of Yamuna, thereby increasing water availability in the river’s mainstream.
However, the state’s involvement in a water treaty signed decades ago has complicated matters, and DJB awaits the completion of the Renuka Dam project. Despite a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) being signed in 1994, progress on the project has been sluggish. The Renuka Dam project, conceived in 1976, aims to bolster Delhi’s water supply by up to 40% through a storage facility on the Giri river, a Yamuna tributary in Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. This initiative involves constructing a 148-metre-high rock-filled dam to cater to the water needs of six river basin states, including Delhi.
According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, all participating states are contributing to the project, with the Delhi government allocating Rs 214 crore for its construction. The dam’s reservoir has the potential to address almost 40% of Delhi’s water requirement, once operational. The execution of the project is anticipated to be overseen by the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, with water from the dam’s reservoir channelled to Delhi via the Hathnikund Barrage. Despite this progress, Delhi continues to face a significant demand and supply gap of around 290-300 MGD, exacerbating during the summer months. The recent surge in water production signals a positive trajectory, but addressing the city’s water needs remains a pressing concern for policymakers and authorities alike.
