The Renuka Dam project proposed on Giri Ganga River (a tributary of Yamuna) located in Nahan, some 300 kilometers away from Delhi is a joint project of the Governments of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Delhi. The storage dam will supply water exclusively to the national capital. Delhi hopes to meet 1250 MLD (Million Litres Daily) of its total 3500 MLD requirement from this project.

While Delhi stands to benefit, Renuka Valley will have to bear huge social and environmental cost. Around 750 families in 37 villages will be displaced and 1630 hectares of land, including 49 hectares of Reserve Sanctuary will be submerged . Farmers here grow tomatoes, ginger, potato, onions and other vegetables and fruits for Delhi and other urban markets. Close to 17 lakh trees will be destroyed. It is impossible to justify chopping of so many trees, which are our only safety net against global warming triggered Climate Change.

The proposition is hollow and frivolous in light of Delhi’s water wastage through corroded and leaky pipes, absolute waste of Rainwater, inhabitants apathy, polluted Yamuna and other disappearing water bodies. The entire wastage amounts to 1300 MLD (40% of the total 3500 MLD supplied to city which never reaches its people) In fact, mending just the leaking and corroded pipes will save 40% of Delhi’s current water supply.

There are many questions:
In fact Delhi is most pampered of the cities with 200 lpcd( liter per capita per day) availability, highest in the country. Why does it more water? Is there real scarcity of water of demand side mismanagement?
Delhi already gets water from Yamuna and Ganga directly, Tehri Dam and Bhakra Nangal Dam, so the question is how long can Delhi continue to ll its leaking bucket by extracting water from far and wide without fixing it?
The larger question is of equity: Why must communities living in Renuka ji support wasteful and careless lifestyle of Delhi?
Will Delhi allow its water to be siphoned of by someone else like it plans to do at Renuka ji?
Delhi Government and Citizens must answers these questions!!