New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has written an urgent letter to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), urging immediate intervention over the rising ammonia levels in the Yamuna River, which have severely impacted the capital’s water supply. In her letter, Atishi highlighted the health and safety risks posed by the contamination, which has already caused disruptions in water treatment processes.
Atishi pointed out that the ammonia levels in the Yamuna River, particularly at the point where it enters Delhi from Haryana, have reached levels six times higher than normal. She emphasized that the Delhi Jal Board’s (DJB) water treatment plants are designed to treat ammonia concentrations only up to 1 part per million (ppm), but the levels currently stand at over 7 ppm—700% above the treatable limit.
“This toxic contamination, likely due to the mixing of untreated sewage or industrial waste from Haryana, has made the water coming into Delhi from the Yamuna unsafe for treatment. It is a serious public health hazard,” Atishi said in her letter.
The rising ammonia levels have overwhelmed the capacity of Delhi’s water treatment facilities, resulting in a reduction of water supply by 15 to 20%. As a result, approximately 34 lakh residents of Delhi have been affected, facing limited access to safe drinking water. The Chief Minister also warned of potential health hazards, including kidney damage, respiratory issues, and long-term organ damage, due to the high levels of ammonia in the water supply.
Atishi urged the CEC to intervene promptly, stating that the situation is critical and could lead to a public health crisis if not addressed immediately.
