“Delhi’s indigenous population in 1981 comprised 55.8 per cent of the total population as opposed to 60.18 per cent in 2001. The migrant population has increased 9.52 times and the Capital’s own population has grown 12 times. Therefore, it will be wrong to say that pressure on existing resources is coming from the migrant population as Delhi’s own burgeoning numbers is leading to the pressure,” said Maken.

Maken further pointed out that there is no dearth of resources just a “mismanagement of existing resources.” “Take water for example. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the Delhi Jal Board supplies 3380 MLD to the city every day. Delhites also draw 2128 MLD water from ground water sources taking the total available water to the city to 5508 MLD. The population of the Capital, at present, is around 16.2 million. So 327.85 litres per person per day is required,” said Maken.

Maken pointed out that Singapore provides 162 litres per person per day, Hong Kong 172 litres, Copenhagen 125 litres and Munich 130 litres per person per day of water supply round the clock.