Munak Canal issue: SC sends notice to Centre, Delhi and Haryana governments

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre and the governments of Delhi and Haryana with regard to what steps all three were taking to restore operations of the strategically-located Munak Canal, which supplies water to the national capital.
During the hearing of a petition related to the damage of the canal during the ongoing Jat community reservation row, the apex court expressed its displeasure over the presence of Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra in the court room.

The counsel representing the Haryana Government reportedly informed the Supreme Court that water from the Munak Canal would reach Delhu by 5 p.m. this evening.

The apex court stricture came even as the army announced that it has taken control of the Munak Canal in Haryana’s Sonipat district, and restoired movement of traffic along the busy National Highway 1 between Delhi and Ambala.

The role of the army was lauded and appreciated by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Traffic is also being restored on other highways in the violence-hit districts of Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Jind, Kaithal and Hisar.

Meanwhile, police sources said that Jat protestors continued to block roads and railway tracks at some places on Monday. Efforts were being made to remove them and restore traffic.

The eight-day old Jat agitation has left 11 people dead and over 150 injured, said Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) P.K. Dass.

Security forces were able to secure the Munak canal, which supplies water to Delhi, in Haryana’s Sonipat district on Monday morning. Water supply to Delhi was disrupted at Akbarpur-Barota by Jat protesters since Friday night. (ANI)