Delhi Water Crisis: Police Patrolling Begins at Munak Canal Amid Claims of Tanker Mafia in Area

As Delhi continues to reel under severe water crisis, police patrolling has begun around Munak Canal to keep a check on the tanker mafia. Amid claims that water mafia is active around the Munak Canal (Bawana Nahar), police have been deployed in the area.

This came after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena instructed Delhi Police for greater vigilance and patrolling in the area after the Supreme Court rapped the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government over tanker mafia.

The apex court on Wednesday rebuked the Delhi government over the prevalence of tanker mafia and water wastage in the national capital and asked what measures it has taken against them. “So much of tanker mafia, have you taken any action on that…Water is engulfed by tanker mafia and you’re not taking any action,” the bench, presided over by Justice PK Mishra, said while hearing the Delhi government’s plea for the release of surplus water from Himachal Pradesh.

“Why were false statements made before this court? Water is coming from Himachal Pradesh then where is the water going in Delhi? There is so much spillage, tanker mafias etc.. what measures have you taken in this regard?… People are suffering, we are seeing visuals on every news channel. What measures have you taken to control water wastage if water scarcity is a recurring problem in summers,” the bench, also comprising Justice PB Varale, observed orally.

Asking the Delhi government about measures taken till now to solve the problem, the bench said, “If you’re not taking action, then shall we hand it over…Every channel is showing tanker mafia is running in Delhi.”

Meanwhile, BJP leaders met the Delhi Police chief on Wednesday and demanded the formation of a special investigation team and registration of an FIR over the alleged theft of water from the Munak Canal and other sources by the tanker mafia.

In the complaint, the party requested the Delhi Police to register an FIR over water theft.

“You are further requested to form a special investigation team to conduct a thorough probe to ensure action against the tanker mafia for theft of water from the Munak canal and any government official conniving with them,” said the complaint addressed to the Delhi police chief.

Delhi is facing severe water crisis as the national capital continues to battle an intense heatwave. On Thursday, videos of people queueing around water tankers continued to surface from different parts of the city.