Power cuts hit the industrial hub of Haryana, Gurgaon. Just a week earlier, it was Delhi’s turn to suffer from inadequate water supply. There were protests which show that there are no simple solutions of the problem. The Centre, the states and misguided environmental activism are largely responsible. It is necessary to frame a better response to power needs. Supply of water is also of the utmost importance. The problem has been accentuated by the migration of rural people to metro cities in search of jobs. The solution lies in a concerted effort by the Centre and the states. Each state is now setting up power stations and locating water supply sources. But they have only their respective vote banks in mind. Several states including Haryana are building costly thermal power projects on land hundreds of kilometres away from coal and water sources. Fights have been going on for decades between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Cauvery river waters. The Constitution may have to be amended to put water on the concurrent list. States should not be allowed to legislate on their own. Investment in the national electricity grid is a must. The Manmohan Singh government will have to face the twin challenges of water and power shortage during the rest of its tenure. Apathy may cost it the seat of power.
These crises enable the government to apprise the people of the negative side of environmental activism as regards water and power. Arunachal Pradesh provides a case study. Nuclear and thermal power has its hazards. Solar energy will take time to become a viable alternative source. India has to take urgent steps to strike a balance between economic development and ecology.