The Nangal Hydel Canal which supplies 232 MGD (million gallons per day) of water, meeting 25% water requirement of Delhi, is scheduled to be closed from March 25- April 24, for cleaning and repairings.

The Board had received a letter from the Haryana government on February 12, which mentioned about the closure.

Raghav Chadha, the vice person of Delhi Jal Board has requested the Centre, the government of Haryana and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to mend the channel after the summers. This unplanned shutdown of the channel could lead to acute water shortage in the capital. 

A letter was also sent on February 19 to the government of Haryana, addressing the problem.

Chadha also added that the AAP government is in regular touch with the Centre over the matter. The closure would also affect the supply of water to the residences of President and Prime Minister and the buildings of High Court, Supreme Court etc.

According to Shalabh Kumar who is a member of Delhi Jal Board, the government of Punjab is wanting the complete close down because a part of the canal needs immediate repair in their state.

The major problem that is being highlighted is that there is no alternative source of water for Delhi in the peak time of summers. There is a demand that the reconstruction work be postponed to monsoons, then the water from Yamuna can be used to meet the daily requirements. 

However, the chairperson of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, Sanjay Shrivastava says that it is just a routine repair work and the supply would not be affected severely.

The Jal Shakti Ministry has also been appealed to call an urgent meeting of all the stakeholders to talk over the issue.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in 1981, which protects this access of 232 MGD water under the law and an order regarding the same was issued by the Supreme Court in 2020.