Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Administration on Friday told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the city does not have excess water to pour into Sukhna. The response was submitted after the High Court on Thursday had questioned the administration as to why excess water received by Chandigarh in the months of December and January could not be poured into Sukhna. Elaborating, senior standing counsel for UT Administration Sanjay Kaushal said that “excess water is not available” with Chandigarh. Of the 87 mgd water available, 67 mgd water is drawn from Kajauli water works. He added that Chandigarh falls short of water in summer. In winter, dependence on tubewells slightly decreases and maximum water is drawn from canal. However, the counsel assisting the court contended that the airport area gets flooded in monsoon because of diversion of storm water towards the airport. An attempt made in May to lower the level of check dams would be made again so that water could reach Sukhna. The bench observed that there was a need to deepen the Sukhna Lake level. The court told the administration that if it (administration) was “financially weak”, the High Court would direct Punjab and Haryana to make arrangements and supply their share of water to Sukhna Lake. Terming it too expensive an exercise, the Punjab government on the last date of hearing had submitted before the High Court that it would not be feasible to bring water from Patiala ki Rao or Ghaggar river into the Sukhna Lake. The minutes of a meeting jointly held by representatives of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on finding a solution to saving the Sukhna Lake were placed on record before the High Court on the last date of hearing. After having a detailed discussion, the officials said that it would not be feasible to fetch water from Patiala ki Rao or Ghaggar river.