Amid extreme heat and unlikely weather conditions, a fine of ₹2,000 will be imposed on water-wasting activities like washing vehicles with a hose and using domestic water supply for construction and commercial purposes, the Delhi government said on Wednesday.

The national capital is facing water shortage due to unprecedented summer heat with temperatures hovering around the 50 degrees Celsius mark in parts of the city.

Water minister Atishi has directed the Delhi Jal Board to deploy 200 teams across the city to prevent water-wasting activities like car washing with a hose, overflowing water tanks, and use of domestic water supply for construction and commercial purposes.

In a note to the DJB's chief executive officer, Atishi said," These teams will be deployed from 8 am on Thursday and impose fines on anyone found wasting water. These teams will disconnect any illegal water connections at construction sites or commercial establishments."

The minister said intense heatwave conditions are prevailing in the national capital and there is a shortage of water supply since Haryana is not releasing Delhi's share of water.

Also, there are illegal connections of domestic supply at construction sites and commercial establishments, the minister said, adding that there is a need to crack down on such misuse of water.

In a post on X, she informed about the crackdown on wastage of water in the coming days, saying illegal connections of domestic supply at construction sites and commercial establishments will be disconnected.