New Delhi: Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Sunday wrote to Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora requesting deployment of personnel for patrolling and security of major pipelines for the next 15 days as the national capital grapples with water crisis.
In his letter, the minister said that Delhi is facing severe heat and water crisis.
"Due to shortage of water in Yamuna, water production has declined by about 70 MGD and many parts of Delhi are facing water shortage. In such a situation, every drop of water becomes precious," the letter said.
Atishi said in the letter, Delhi Jal Board has deployed patrolling teams for the main water distribution network which conveys raw water to water treatment plants (WTPs) and then from them to main underground reservoirs in different parts of the city.“In addition, we have deployed teams under the supervision of the ADM to assist in this work.”
The minister said that on Saturday, DJB's ground patrolling team reported a major leak in the South Delhi Rising Mains - the main water pipeline that carries water from Sonia Vihar WTP to South Delhi.
"It was near the DTL sub station at Garhi Medhu. Our patrol team found that several large 375 mm bolts and one 12 inch bolt had been cut from the pipeline, causing leakage. The fact that several large bolts had been cut , indicates foul play and sabotage,” the letter reads.Atishi requested Arora to deploy police patrolling and protect the city's major pipelines for the next 15 days and prevent "mischievous elements or people with ill intentions" from tampering with the water pipelines.
"Any dishonesty and sabotage at this time will worsen the already existing water shortage facing the people of Delhi," he wrote.
Regarding the damaged pipeline, he said a maintenance team worked continuously for six hours and repaired the leak.
"...But this meant that we had to stop pumping of water for 6 hours and during this period 20 MGD of water was not pumped. As a result, South Delhi will experience 25% water shortage," the minister said. .
In his letter, the minister said that Delhi is facing severe heat and water crisis.
"Due to shortage of water in Yamuna, water production has declined by about 70 MGD and many parts of Delhi are facing water shortage. In such a situation, every drop of water becomes precious," the letter said.
Atishi said in the letter, Delhi Jal Board has deployed patrolling teams for the main water distribution network which conveys raw water to water treatment plants (WTPs) and then from them to main underground reservoirs in different parts of the city.“In addition, we have deployed teams under the supervision of the ADM to assist in this work.”
The minister said that on Saturday, DJB's ground patrolling team reported a major leak in the South Delhi Rising Mains - the main water pipeline that carries water from Sonia Vihar WTP to South Delhi.
"It was near the DTL sub station at Garhi Medhu. Our patrol team found that several large 375 mm bolts and one 12 inch bolt had been cut from the pipeline, causing leakage. The fact that several large bolts had been cut , indicates foul play and sabotage,” the letter reads.Atishi requested Arora to deploy police patrolling and protect the city's major pipelines for the next 15 days and prevent "mischievous elements or people with ill intentions" from tampering with the water pipelines.
"Any dishonesty and sabotage at this time will worsen the already existing water shortage facing the people of Delhi," he wrote.
Regarding the damaged pipeline, he said a maintenance team worked continuously for six hours and repaired the leak.
"...But this meant that we had to stop pumping of water for 6 hours and during this period 20 MGD of water was not pumped. As a result, South Delhi will experience 25% water shortage," the minister said. .
