[Yamuna River Contamination]: “Supreme Court Issues Notice To Punjab Govt, Haryana Govt & Bhakra Beas Management Board”; Directs Respondents To Maintain Status Quo On Water Supply Till Hearing Tomorrow

The Supreme Court led Bench by Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna & Justice V Subramanian on Thursday while issuing notice has directed the State of Punjab, State of Haryana & Bhakra Beas Management Board to maintain status quo till tomorrow on the water supply to Delhi.

“Respondents are directed to maintain status quo on water supply in Delhi till hearing tomorrow”, CJI ordered.

In the present matter, the Bench was hearing the fresh Intervention application that was filed by Delhi Jal Board praying for direction to be issued to the Haryana government to release the water to avert severe crisis in the State of NCT of Delhi along with the petition that was filed in connection with the increased ammonia levels in Yamuna due to the discharge of pollutants.

“There is curtailment of water supply to Delhi. 25% of drinking water to Delhi will be curtailed from today. Chief Secretary has written to Punjab & Haryana. Some repair work has to be carried out in a canal”, Adv Gautam Narayan informed the Bench.

He further requested for issuance of directions to the State of Haryana to arrange for an alternative drinking water route.

Sr Adv Mr Shyam Diwan appeared for the State of Haryana while refuting the allegations submitted that the Govt was giving full supply of water & further sought time for reply since the application was received today.

At this juncture, Sr Adv Vikas Singh intervened and prayed for the sending of a Court Commissioner to Haryana for submitting a report.

“Water level should be at least 10 feet & it is 4 feet now”, Sr Adv Vikas Singh submitted.

Divan: Series of incorrect statements are being made. If in case we do not file the reply by tomorrow, then we can proceed as it is. An application has been filed in NGT & Pollution Board too.

Sr Adv Dr Abhshiekh Manu Singhvi informed on Behalf of Delhi Jal Board informed the Bench that the Board had written at least six letters to the Punjab authorities requesting them to postpone the repair works to winter but they did not even reply to the letters. He further submitted that such repair works should not be done during March April when on account of summer, water demands are at its peak.

CJI: What is the repair about?

Singhvi: It's a routine repair to 2 gates.

In the connected matters, The Top court had appointed Ms. Meenakshi Arora, Senior Advocate as amicus curiae in the present matter. Necessary directions were also issued to the Central Pollution Control Board.

“Since this is a matter concerning fundamental rights, we won't entertain technical objections”, CJI further remarked.

The matter is now listed for tomorrow.

Case Title: Delhi Jal Board v. State of Haryana| WP(C): 8 of 2021 & WP(C) 384 of 2021 & Re Mediation of Polluted Rivers| SMW(C) 1 of 2021