‘Yamuna Too Toxic To Treat’: Atishi Backs Kejriwal’s Poison Claim Amid Delhi Water Shortage

Last Updated:January 28, 2025, 13:13 IST

Atishi has backed Arvind Kejriwal’s claim on “poison” in Yamuna river and said that the water is “extremely toxic” while entering Delhi and cannot be treated.

Stepping up the charge against Haryana over incoming “toxic” water in Yamuna, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Tuesday alleged that the ammonia levels in the river are six times above normal while entering the city from the neighbouring state and “cannot be treated”.

She wrote to the Election Commission, seeking its intervention in the matter.

This comes a day after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal charged the BJP-led Haryana government of contaminating the Yamuna river with “poison”, drawing massive backlash from the saffron party. The Haryana government also threatened to sue him for his remarks. Delhi Jal Board also refuted the claims, describing Kejriwal’s statements as “factually incorrect, without any basis and misleading”.

What Did Atishi Say?

Claiming that the incoming water in Yamuna from Haryana is “extremely toxic” for human body, she said that it is untreatable and cannot be supplied to the people of Delhi.

“Ammonia levels continue to be 6 times above normal in Yamuna waters, at the point it is entering Delhi from Haryana. Such levels are extremely toxic for the human body. This water cannot be treated and supplied to people of Delhi. Otherwise their lives will be at risk,” she said on X.

She sought the Election Commission’s intervention, urging the poll body to prevent the toxic water from entering Delhi.

“Have also asked for an urgent appointment for the same,” she said.

In her letter, she said that the water treatment plants of the Delhi Jal Board can treat ammonia upto 1 ppm level, however, the incoming water from Haryana has ammonia levels as high as 700% above the treatable limit. This has, she said, shrunk the water supply in the city by 15-20%.

Earlier on Monday, she alleged at a press conference that the BJP was “deliberately disrupting” Delhi’s water supply as it was anticipating a “historic loss” in the upcoming Assembly polls.

“The bewildered BJP is resorting to tactics, such as stopping the water supply. Haryana is intentionally draining industrial waste into the Yamuna to harm the people of Delhi and influence the election outcome unfairly,” Atishi had said.