Election Commission has assured that water is sensitive issue and they will make decision in Delhi’s interest after hearing Haryana’s side: CM Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met the Chief Election Commissioner on Tuesday, flagging that the BJP-ruled Haryana government is supplying toxic water to Delhi. Raising concerns over the rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna, CM Atishi urged the Election Commission to form a joint team of engineers from both states and EC representatives to investigate the matter.

The Delhi Chief Minister emphasized that water is a critical and sensitive issue, and the Election Commission has assured action in the interest of Delhiites. Meanwhile, CM Bhagwant Mann condemned attempts to politicize water, calling it unacceptable to link such a basic necessity to electoral gains.

After the meeting with Election Commission, Delhi CM Atishi stated, “Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and I had a meeting with the Election Commission. We had a detailed discussion on the issue of water in Delhi. We informed the Election Commission about how the water coming from Haryana into the Yamuna has reached ammonia levels that have crossed toxic limits.”

The Delhi Chief Minister continued, “Delhi’s water treatment plants can treat ammonia levels up to 1 PPM or 2 PPM. However, over the past few days, the ammonia levels have consistently risen to 4, 5, 6, and even 7 PPM. Ammonia at 7 PPM means poisonous water.”

CM Atishi added, “We requested the Election Commission that if this toxic water continues to come, many of our water treatment plants will completely shut down, leading to 30% of Delhi not receiving water. Haryana’s Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, is coming to meet the Election Commission this evening.”

“The Election Commission has assured us that water is a very important issue, directly linked to the lives and well-being of people. They have promised us that they will take a decision in the interest of Delhi’s people after hearing Haryana’s side,” shared the Chief Minister.

On the question whether the Election Commission has received any response from the Haryana government on the issue, CM Atishi said, “No response has been received yet, as informed to us by the Election Commission. However, the Chief Minister of Haryana is expected to meet us shortly. The Election Commission has assured us that water is a highly sensitive issue, directly linked to people’s lives. They will consult Haryana, hear their perspective, and take a decision that favors the people of Delhi.”

The Delhi CM expressed, “We have full faith in the Election Commission. So far, the Election Commission has left no stone unturned in conducting free and fair elections and has always taken decisions in support of such fairness. Similarly, we believe they will ensure that Delhi does not receive polluted water or face a disruption in the water supply for 30% of its residents. I am confident that the Election Commission will take a decision in favor of Delhi’s people.”

CM Atishi said, “The statement of the Haryana CM exposes his own falsehoods. On one hand, he claims this is not a new issue and that ammonia has been a persistent problem, while on the other, he accuses us of lying. How can both statements coexist? Either ammonia is present, or it isn’t—this is not a matter of opinion but of factual data.”

She further added that the letter written by the DJB CEO clearly shows that Delhi’s water treatment plants can treat ammonia levels up to 1 PPM or 2 PPM. However, if you look at the data from the last few days, ammonia levels have been recorded at 5.5, 5.6, 5.8, 6.4, 6.8, and even 7.2. These figures have been provided by the DJB CEO.”

The Delhi CM said, “I would urge the Haryana Chief Minister—and we have already communicated this to the Election Commission as well—to form a joint team comprising engineers from both Haryana and Delhi, along with representatives from the Election Commission. Let us measure ammonia levels at every point, from where Haryana releases the water to the entry points in Delhi at Wazirabad and Palla.

“This is not a matter of dispute or truth versus lies; ammonia levels are easily measurable, and we are fully prepared to measure how much ammonia is present in Haryana’s water and how much is entering Delhi. This measurement is essential,” concluded CM Atishi.

Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said, “This issue is also connected to Punjab, as water flows into Haryana from Punjab. We have never reduced the water supply to Haryana from Punjab; whatever is their due share, we provide it. However, if polluted water is reaching Wazirabad, the Election Commission has assured us that it will test the water to determine ammonia levels at the point where Haryana releases it and compare it to the levels when it reaches Delhi.”

The Punjab CM stated, “We have agreed to this and suggested that past data from last year be checked as well. We have demanded a resolution to this issue—either Haryana must stop discharging polluted water into the Yamuna, which is also mandated by NGT orders, or they should provide extra water through the Munak Canal, as they have done in the past. Alternatively, they must supply additional water so that the issue can be managed in Delhi.”

CM Bhagwant Mann said, “The main opposition party in Delhi, BJP, should not politicize this matter or use it as an election issue. Everyone deserves a level playing field.”

On the question of Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini threatening to file a defamation case, Punjab CM said, “The timing of this issue raises questions—it cannot be resolved within 5–6 days of the elections. Such disputes can be addressed later. Politicizing water or making statements like ‘you will get water only if you vote for us’ or ‘our government must come to power first’ is inappropriate. This is nature’s water, and it belongs to everyone. We pass it on to Haryana as per the agreements, and not a single drop less. Similarly, Haryana must supply Delhi with the agreed amount of water. On humanitarian grounds as well, Delhi’s residents should receive their rightful share of water.”

“We are hopeful because the Election Commission has listened to us and assured us that Haryana’s Chief Minister will be meeting us at 5:30 PM today to present their perspective. After hearing their perspective, we will provide a reply, possibly later tonight or tomorrow. If necessary, we are prepared to meet them again to resolve this matter,” concluded CM Bhagwant Mann.