Release 137 cusecs surplus water for Delhi: Top court to Himachal

The acute shortage of drinking water has become an “existential problem” in Delhi, the Supreme Court observed on Thursday and directed the Himachal Pradesh government to release 137 cusecs of surplus water to the national Capital on Friday and Haryana to facilitate its flow.

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The apex court also said there should be no politics over water.

A vacation bench of Justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan noted that the Himachal Pradesh government is willing to release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it for Delhi.

One cusec (cubic foot per second) is equal to 28.317 litres of liquid flow every second.

“Since Himachal Pradesh has no objection and is ready and willing to release the surplus water available with it, we direct that Himachal Pradesh shall release 137 cusecs of surplus water available with it from the upstream so that the water reaches Hathnikund barrage and reaches Delhi through Wazirabad,” the bench said.