'Open defecation, waste dumping in Delhi's raw water'

From open defecation and waste burning to industrial dumping and cattle bathing, Delhi's Munak Canal -— acritical lifeline supplying raw water to the Capital - is choked with pollution.

- Paras Singh and Jasjeev Gandhiok

A new report by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) warned that widespread contamination along the canal could threaten the safety of Delhi's drinking water and undermine operations at water treatment plants.

The report, based on an inspection conducted on October 25, details violations along the canal's route through Haryana and northwest Delhi. It was submitted on Sunday to the Delhi government, pollution control authorities, and ministers of water, environment, and health, along with photo evidence and geotagged locations of violations.

Built between 2003 and 2012 as part of the Western Yamuna Canal system, the Munak Canal carries over 1,000 cusecs of Yamuna water every day to Delhi through two main channels ~ the Carrier Line Channel (CLC) and the Delhi Sub Branch (DSB). Despite being a key piece of infrastructure for the city's water supply, its maintenance and protection have remained woefully inadequate.