Supreme Court Mandates Emergent Meeting of UYRB to Address Delhi’s Water Scarcity on June 5

In a significant move to address the escalating water scarcity in Delhi, the Supreme Court has mandated an emergent meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to be held on June 5. This directive came while hearing a plea filed by the Delhi Government seeking immediate intervention for the release of surplus water from Haryana, which was originally provided by Himachal Pradesh.

Background and Court Directive

The Delhi Government’s plea, represented by Delhi’s Water Minister Atishi, called for urgent action to alleviate the acute water shortage faced by residents of the National Capital Territory. The plea named the Centre, the BJP-led Haryana Government, and the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh Government as respondents, emphasizing that access to water is a fundamental human right and essential for survival.

During the hearing, a vacation bench comprising Justice P.K. Mishra and Justice K.V. Viswanathan noted that the legal representatives of all parties involved had agreed to adopt a collaborative and non-adversarial approach to resolve the water scarcity issue.

Court’s Observations and Decision

The bench highlighted the consensus among the parties to hold an emergent meeting of the UYRB. The bench stated, “In the course of hearing, all the parties agreed that there should be a non-adversarial approach to the problem of scarcity of water faced by the citizens of Delhi.”

The Supreme Court instructed that the minutes of the upcoming UYRB meeting, along with the recommended steps to mitigate the water crisis, be submitted to the court by June 6. The bench reiterated the urgency of the matter, ensuring that the water scarcity problem is addressed in a manner that prioritizes the needs of Delhi’s citizens.

Legal and Administrative Implications

The plea underscored the critical nature of water as a basic human right, necessitating immediate and continuous release of water at the Wazirabad barrage from Haryana. The Delhi Government argued that the release of the full surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh is crucial for mitigating the ongoing water crisis in the National Capital Territory.

This Supreme Court directive comes amid a growing recognition of the importance of inter-state cooperation and coordination in managing shared water resources. The emergent meeting of the UYRB is expected to foster collaborative solutions, setting a precedent for addressing similar disputes in the future.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the judicial system’s role in resolving complex inter-state resource disputes. By mandating a cooperative and urgent approach to the water scarcity issue, the court aims to ensure that the fundamental rights of Delhi’s citizens are upheld. The outcomes of the June 5 meeting and the subsequent actions by the stakeholders will be critical in addressing the immediate water needs of the National Capital Territory.

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