Amidst the ongoing water crisis in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has taken notice of a sting operation conducted by India Today that exposed the corrupt practices of the tanker mafia. The sting operation revealed how illegal tanker operators are profiting from the water shortage by selling water at inflated prices and extracting it from illegal borewells.
### Key Highlights of the India Today Sting Operation:
- **Sting Operation**: Conducted in Sangam Vihar, Delhi.
- **Tanker Operator Ritesh**: Quoted Rs 2100 per tanker, reduced to Rs 1500, with a total cost of Rs 3000 including delivery. Each tanker contains 12,000 liters of water.
- **Tanker Operator Mohan**: Offered a 4500-liter tanker for Rs 2200. Mentioned that groundwater levels are dropping, requiring drilling up to 650 feet to access water.
- **Illegal Practices**: Illegal borewells and tube wells found in the Yamuna Khadar area of Wazirabad, Delhi, where tankers are filled openly.
### Government Response:
- **Delhi Water Minister Atishi**: Announced that she will write to the Police Commissioner requesting action against the tanker mafia.
- **Intent to Act**: The government aims to curb the illegal extraction and trade of water to address the ongoing crisis and prevent exploitation by tanker mafias.
### Implications:
- **Legal and Regulatory**: The revelation of these illegal activities could lead to stringent regulatory actions and crackdowns on illegal borewells and tanker operators.
- **Public Awareness**: Increased awareness among the public about the severity of the water crisis and the illegal practices exacerbating it.
- **Government Accountability**: Pressure on the government to ensure a sustainable and legal water supply to address the needs of Delhi residents effectively.
### Next Steps:
- **Letter to Police Commissioner**: Atishi will formally request the Police Commissioner to investigate and take action against those involved in the illegal water trade.
- **Further Investigations**: Likely to be conducted to identify and dismantle the network of tanker mafias operating in Delhi.
- **Policy Revisions**: Potential policy changes and stricter enforcement of water extraction regulations to prevent future exploitation and address the water crisis.
