NEW DELHI: Long lines of people were seen queuing up on Saturday to collect water from tankers across various parts of New Delhi, as the city continued to endure the summer heat. This situation has been ongoing since the beginning of the summer season, causing daily inconvenience to residents who flock to water tankers with cans and buckets.
Areas such as Chilla Gaon in Mayur Vihar, Sanjay Colony in Okhla, and Geeta Colony have particularly witnessed long queues and crowds around water tankers. The soaring temperatures have exacerbated the water scarcity, making it a pressing issue for local residents.
Amid the water crisis, Delhi's Water Minister Atishi initiated an indefinite hunger strike on Friday. She alleged that the Haryana government is withholding Delhi's share of water, leading to the current shortages. Accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh and other party members, Atishi began her hunger strike at Bhogal, near Jangpura, after paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The political contention surrounding the water crisis has seen accusations from the Bharatiya Janata Party. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj has criticized the AAP government, suggesting that the crisis might be a deliberate strategy to foster corruption.
"It almost seems that this crisis, which is not a natural crisis, has been orchestrated by the Kejriwal government to encourage their own corruption as well as to encourage the illegal tanker mafia," Bansuri Swaraj said.
Bansuri Swaraj further criticized Delhi's response to the crisis, stating, "Delhi is in a dire state. The entire city is parched and the Kejriwal government is indulging only in theatrics. Delhi Minister Atishi instead of working on the ground and instead of taking any adequate steps is now indulging in mere theatrics and is now threatening Delhiites with anshan (fast)."
The situation remains tense as residents continue to deal with the daily quest for water amidst the rising temperatures. The political standoff adds another layer of complexity to an already dire situation.