Supreme Court directs Yamuna River Board to consider Delhi's request for more water

As the national capital continues to grapple with water shortage, the Supreme Court on June 13 asked the Delhi government to approach the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to seek additional water supply for the National Capital Territory (NCT) on humanitarian grounds.

The court has directed the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to make a decision on Delhi's request for more water.

The apex court has also dismissed the Delhi Government's plea seeking directions to Haryana for immediate release of water, saying that the issue concerning the sharing of the Yamuna water between states is a complex and sensitive issue.

This comes after the Delhi government raised concerns about the water shortage in the city and sought additional water supply.

The court has adjourned the hearing, noting that there were unresolved issues in the petition copy.

The bench, comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Prasanna B Varale, expressed their preference to review the files first to avoid being influenced by media coverage of the case.

“Since the UYRB has already directed Delhi to submit an application for the supply of water on humanitarian grounds... such an application be made, if not already made, by today by 5 pm, and the board shall convene a meeting tomorrow and take decision in the matter at the earliest,” the bench said.

In a related development, the Himachal Pradesh government has withdrawn its earlier statement about having surplus water. The implications of this retraction on the water crisis in Delhi are yet to be seen.

The court's decision and the subsequent actions of the Yamuna River Board and the Himachal Pradesh government will play a crucial role in addressing Delhi's water shortage.