Delhi Assembly Election 2025: Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has replied to the notice from the Election Commission regarding his statements on the Yamuna pollution issue. He defended his statements and presented several facts to support them.
Dangerous Ammonia Levels in Yamuna Water
Kejriwal cited a letter from the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), which mentioned that the Yamuna water contains 7 PPM of ammonia, which is 700% higher than the permissible limit. He stated that this poses a serious threat to public health.
According to Kejriwal, the primary reason for this pollution is the uncontrolled dumping of industrial waste by Haryana.
Health Risks of Toxic Water
Kejriwal warned that if this toxic water continues to flow into Delhi, it could cause serious health issues and even deaths. He emphasized that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right and raising concerns about it is not a crime.
Why Clean Water Supply is Affected
Kejriwal explained that due to the high level of toxins in the raw water from Haryana, Delhi’s water treatment plants cannot operate at full capacity. This has led to a shortage of clean water in the capital.
He highlighted that the untreated industrial and household waste from Haryana makes it difficult for treatment plants to purify the water to safe levels.
Key Points Highlighted by Kejriwal
- Delhi depends on Haryana for raw water:
The water supplied from Haryana is used for drinking in Delhi. - Severely polluted water from Haryana:
The water is dangerous and toxic for public health. - Treatment plants not fully functional:
The high pollution level prevents treatment plants from effectively cleaning the water. - Serious health risks:
Allowing people to consume such toxic water could cause severe health issues and fatalities. - Need for immediate action:
Haryana authorities must ensure clean and safe water supply to Delhi.
Public Health Crisis
Kejriwal highlighted that raising concerns about toxic water is not against national unity but in the interest of public health. He emphasized that his statements are based on facts and need urgent attention.
He cited DJB’s CEO’s letter, which confirmed that ammonia levels in water from Haryana have reached 7 PPM, while treatment plants can handle only up to 2 PPM. This proves that Haryana is discharging pollutants into the Yamuna River, making the water highly toxic.
Kejriwal’s Appeal to the Election Commission
Kejriwal emphasized that ensuring clean drinking water is a basic need of any civilized society. Criticizing administrative failures in this regard should not be treated as a crime.
He urged the Election Commission to intervene and direct Haryana to ensure clean and adequate water supply to Delhi.
Kejriwal concluded by asserting that his statements were not aimed at any political candidate but were made to highlight a serious public health and environmental issue supported by official records.