Shimla losing five million litres water daily: High Court
Shimla, June 11: The parched Himachal Pradesh capital is daily losing more than five million litres (MLD) of potable water because of various reasons, including leakages and theft, the Himachal Pradesh High Court observed on Monday.
Shimla is facing a water crisis almost a month now. Still a majority of localities are getting water once in three-four days.
"As to what remedial steps stand taken on this (loss or wastage of water) regard, we find the affidavit filed by the Chief Secretary dated June 11 to be conspicuously silent," said a division bench headed by acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol in their resumed hearing.
Listing the case's next hearing on June 18, the court wanted to know the steps initiated by the government and the Municipal Corporation in modernising the system of collection, pumping and uplifting and distribution of water in Shimla town.
The bench, also comprising Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, noted that the affidavits of the Chief Secretary and the Municipal Commissioner were silent on action taken against those whose acts of omission and commission led to the situation of crisis.
"We are assured that appropriate action in this regard shall positively be taken before the next date of hearing."
However, the judges observed that at this point in time the position with regard to water distribution, more or less, is in order.
"Water is being distributed judiciously and equitably, in terms of sectoral plan, as already noticed and directed. Also the total availability of water for such purpose stands increased. Also people are being sensitized to use the water prudently. Retainer lawyers and para legal volunteers have also monitored the situation round the clock," said the bench.
Planned by the British for a maximum population of 16,000, Shimla, now with a population of nearly 200,000, requires 42 MLD water, but is currently getting around 30 MLD.
Locals rue that Shimla is now synonymous with water scarcity -- both in summer and winter.
The civic authorities blame leakages in the distribution network, a significant portion of which goes back to the British days, and diminishing water resources that have been over-exploited to meet the increasing demand for the tourism industry.
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Middle East crisis: Oil prices cross $83 per barrel as Strait of Hormuz disruption hits supply
New Delhi: Global crude oil prices rose sharply on Thursday, crossing $83 per barrel, following Iran’s move to shut down the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Oil prices have increased by more than 2 per cent due to concerns over supply disruptions in the region, which is a key route for global energy shipments.
A sustained rise in crude prices could significantly affect India’s import bill. Government estimates indicate that an increase of $1 per barrel in crude oil prices for a full year could raise India’s import bill by around Rs 16,000 crore.
However, government sources said India remains in a relatively comfortable position in the short term. The country currently has crude oil reserves sufficient for about 25 days, along with an additional 25 days’ supply of petroleum products, including shipments already in transit to Indian ports.
India imports nearly 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements from the Middle East, with much of the supply traditionally passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
Officials said India has strengthened its energy security in recent years by diversifying its sources of crude oil imports. Supplies have increasingly been sourced from countries such as Russia, African nations and the United States, reducing dependence on Gulf routes.
As a result, a portion of India’s oil imports now bypasses the Strait of Hormuz.
India spent about $137 billion on crude oil imports in the financial year ending March 31, 2025. In the current financial year, from April 2025 to January 2026, the country spent approximately $100.4 billion to import 206.3 million tonnes of crude oil.
