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Journalism of Courage
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday urged Punjab and Haryana governments to extend stronger cooperation to ensure cleaner air for Delhi while also seeking an increase in the city’s share of Yamuna water.
Gupta was addressing the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Faridabad, which was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and attended by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), in the meeting, Gupta said that Delhi’s air quality is heavily impacted by regional factors, particularly the smoke generated from stubble burning.
According to a statement from Delhi CMO, Gupta said that states like Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have shown positive progress in crop-residue management in recent years, but the volume of smoke coming from Punjab remains significantly high.
She expressed hope that all neighbouring states, especially Punjab and Haryana, would extend deeper cooperation to ensure cleaner air for Delhi.
On the issue of drinking water supply, Gupta stressed the urgency of renewing the 1994 water-sharing agreement. Considering Delhi’s growing requirements, she reiterated the city’s request to increase its share of Yamuna water from 980 MGD to 1,250 MGD.
She also sought fast-tracking the Renukaji, Lakhwar, and Kishau Dam projects so that Delhi receives adequate water and other states benefit from the expected electricity generation.
Gupta requested that the responsibility for maintaining the Munak Canal and ITO barrage be handed over to Delhi and that water assessment for the city be carried out at the point where the canal enters the city.
About cleaning the Yamuna, Gupta said both the Delhi and Haryana governments have been taking important steps to improve the river’s condition. “She appreciated the cooperation extended by the Haryana government and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini,” the CMO said. Further, Gupta emphasised the need to ensure that only treated water flows into the river and highlighted the need for effective management of major drains entering Delhi from Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar and Gurgaon.
According to the CMO, Gupta also highlighted Delhi’s push for a fully electric bus fleet and urged cities in the National Capital Region to accelerate their transition to electric buses, taxis, and autorickshaws to cut down on pollution substantially. “There is a need to strictly regulate heavy commercial vehicles, ensuring they mandatorily use the eastern and western peripheral expressways to prevent unnecessary entry into Delhi,” she added.
Moreover, Gupta informed the council that Delhi’s pending contributions to RRTS and other regional projects are being processed. “All outstanding dues will be released soon,” she said.
