The Supreme Court has sharply criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for its failure to address the severe water crisis gripping Delhi and the unchecked operations of the ‘tanker mafia.’ The top court demanded the Delhi government explain the measures it has taken to combat water wastage and control the tanker mafia, which exploits the city’s water resources.
In a session held on June 12, a vacation bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Prasanna B Varale expressed their displeasure with the government’s handling of the crisis. “Delhi tanker mafia is working, and you are not taking action. If the Delhi government can’t take action, then we can ask Delhi Police to take action,” the Supreme Court warned. The justices questioned the veracity of the government’s claims and highlighted the ongoing suffering of Delhi’s residents due to water shortages.
Delhi water crisis | Supreme Court questions over tanker mafia and asks Delhi Govt if any measure or action has been taken against tanker mafia.
Supreme Court remarks if you are not taking any action against the tanker mafia then we will ask Delhi Police to take action against… pic.twitter.com/ORFwr44Wuo
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024
The justices pointed out the incongruity in the government’s statements about water sources, asking, “Why were false statements made before this court? Water is coming from Himachal Pradesh, then where is the water going in Delhi? There is so much spillage, tanker mafias, etc. What measures have you taken in this regard?” They emphasised the urgent need for the government to address the recurring water scarcity, especially during the summer months.
This judicial rebuke follows intense criticism faced by the AAP government from various quarters. The imposition of a Rs 2,000 penalty for water wastage has been criticised as a desperate and hypocritical measure, with many accusing the government of attempting to mask its failures with punitive actions. Delhi Minister Atishi’s appeals for water conservation have been dismissed as insincere, given the administration’s inability to resolve the underlying issues.
AAP’s efforts to shift responsibility onto neighboring Haryana for withholding Delhi’s water share have also been met with skepticism. Critics argue that the government has demonstrated a lack of foresight and proactive measures. Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Virendra Sachdeva and BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi have condemned AAP’s incompetence and alleged corruption within the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), including collusion with the tanker mafia.
The tragic death of a woman in Farsh Bazar over a water dispute underscores the human toll of the crisis. Despite ample warnings, the government failed to prioritise the needs of its citizens, opting instead for political posturing and blame-shifting.
Reports from various parts of Delhi, such as Chilla Gaon, Chanakyapuri, and Geeta Colony, reveal residents standing in long queues to collect water from tankers. A resident of Chilla Gaon, AP Singh, shared his daily struggle, stating, “We have to take water from the tanker every day. We face a lot of difficulty due to the crisis. Even if we want to purchase the water, it is not available.”
Another resident, Shiv, highlighted the dire situation: “I have seven members in my family, and I don’t even have a tap in my home. The usage of water is higher in summer, and today, I was only able to fill 3-4 bottles.” Shabbo Khatoon from the same area echoed these sentiments, stressing the increased water usage due to small children in her family.
Critics argue that AAP’s promise of free water was merely an election gimmick, leaving citizens to bear the brunt of the government’s ineptitude. The Supreme Court’s intervention and the allegations of corruption within the DJB have further eroded public trust in the AAP administration.
As Delhi battles soaring temperatures and acute water shortages, the AAP government’s broken promises and misplaced priorities have left residents disillusioned and desperate for effective governance. The much-touted “Delhi Model” of governance now lies in ruins, with the city’s water crisis serving as a stark reminder of the government’s failure to address critical issues.
