NEW DELHI: Amid an intense heatwave, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has imposed a Rs 2,000 fine for water wastage, addressing the ongoing water crisis in the national capital. The new regulations, announced on Wednesday, prohibit activities such as watering lawns and courtyards, and washing cars and other vehicles with hosepipes.
To enforce these rules, DJB will deploy 200 monitoring teams across Delhi starting from 8 am tomorrow. This initiative aims to curb water misuse and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Water Minister Atishi emphasized the importance of conserving water during this heatwave, urging Delhi residents to avoid wasteful practices. She warned that if public appeals are ignored, challans for excessive water use might be issued, describing such misuse as highly irresponsible.
“Since last week, there has been a very serious water crisis in many areas of Delhi. We have almost doubled the running time of borewells in many areas from six-seven hours to 14 hours per day, and the number of water tankers to deficient areas has also been increased,” Atishi stated.
Despite the severe heatwave, the national capital experienced some relief on Wednesday with light rains and thunderstorms. The India Meteorological Department had earlier forecasted light intensity rain and winds at speeds of 20-30 km/h over isolated areas in Delhi and neighboring regions.
In other developments, the Delhi High Court is set to hear a plea by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s aide, Bibhav Kumar, on Friday. Kumar’s petition challenges his arrest in the Swati Maliwal case, where he is accused of assaulting Maliwal at the Chief Minister’s residence on May 13. Kumar is seeking to have his arrest declared illegal, citing violations of Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Additionally, the Delhi government reiterated its commitment to tackling the water crisis by imposing fines on those wasting water through activities like washing cars with a hose, allowing water tanks to overflow, or using private connections for commercial purposes. This measure is part of a broader effort to manage the city’s water resources amid soaring temperatures and a critical water shortage.
The Regional Meteorological Centre of Delhi has issued warnings of heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across all districts, underscoring the urgency of the water conservation measures announced by the government.
