BBMB clean chit notwithstanding, Haryana blames Punjab flood woes on summer standoff

The official emphasized that it is technically advisable to de-stress dams through annual water release. Such measures not only alleviate structural pressure but also help mitigate silt accumulation, which accelerates in stagnant reservoirs — an issue that even BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi has flagged (Blaming the partner states for not allowing dams to be emptied for desilting, Tripahti said, “In Bhakra dam alone, 25 per cent of capacity is occupied by silt”.) Tripathi also said that Bhakra and Pong dams have a huge carrying capacity and “had it not been for the dams, Punjab would have faced floods as early as June due to the extraordinary rainfall”.

The Haryana official, however, added that this raises a troubling contradiction: if flood control is a core function of dams, why does Punjab continue to suffer from recurring floods despite its extensive network of dams and barrages? “The inconsistency is stark, and it demands serious scrutiny and accountability.”

However, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said: “When our farmers are short of water, then Haryana stakes claim on extra water. When we are flooded, then Haryana writes to us to cut down on water release. That time (in summer) we did not have extra water. Now, we have all the water but they do not want it.”

The Haryana government, through its Irrigation and Water Resources Department, on August 29 had written to the Punjab government and the BBMB, requesting to reduce the release of water into the state’s canals by around 2,500 cusecs, citing the ongoing heavy rainfall and reduced water demand. The request, however, did not go down well with Punjab, which asked if Haryana wants “Punjab’s people to drown” in the floodwaters.

Responding to questions about water release to Haryana in April, BBMB’s Tripathi Friday said that even if water had been released then, the dam’s level would have dropped by only three feet —insignificant compared to the current inflow.

According to the minutes of a meeting of the BBMB held on April 23 this year, Haryana Chief Engineer (ML Rana) requested that “in order to resolve ongoing water crisis particularly drinking water situation, Haryana may be allowed release of 8500 cusecs up to May 1, 2025”.

However, Punjab Chief Engineer/canal (Sher Singh) emphasized that “Haryana should not be allowed release beyond their share quota” and stated that “earlier they had bilaterally decided releases of 4,000 cusecs for drinking water requirements”.

In the meeting, Tripathi had informed that “as per the technical requirement based on rule curve the reservoir level has to be brought down and there should not be any objection to partner states in this regard”. He had also stated that if needed, matter may be discussed bilaterally by the states — Punjab and Haryana.

According to a note prepared by Haryana officials on May 2, the Technical Committee meeting held on April 23, resolved that Haryana would be allocated 8,500 cusecs of water for the period April 24 to May 1 (eight days), to meet its drinking water requirements and to distribute water to its partner states. In line with this decision, Haryana submitted an indent of 8,500 cusecs to the Punjab authorities, requesting delivery at the Haryana Contact Point (HCP).

However, the Haryana note mentioned that Punjab did not forward the indent to the BBMB as agreed in the meeting. According to the note, this lapse led to a critical water shortage across multiple districts in Haryana, causing widespread distress and disruption in essential water supply.

Under Clause 79(1)(c) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the BBMB is legally responsible for the administration, maintenance, and operation of key irrigation headworks at Ropar, Harike, and Ferozepur. However, the Haryana note mentioned, Punjab retained control over these headworks, rather than transferring them to BBMB as mandated. As a result, the note further mentioned, Haryana received less water than its allocated share.

On his part, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on April 30 had said that his state does not have a single drop of water to share. He accused the BJP of exerting pressure on the Punjab government through BBMB to meet Haryana’s demand.

Mann also said that as a humanitarian gesture the Punjab government generously allotted 4,000 cusecs of water daily to Haryana from April 6, 2025. He said that though the population of Haryana is three crore and as per estimates 1,700 cusec of water is enough to meet the needs of people of state.

According to Haryana officials, the water supply was never halted in 2022, 2023, or 2024. Every year in April, May, and June, 9,000 cusecs of water is supplied, with 500 cusecs allocated to Delhi, 800 cusecs to Rajasthan, 400 cusecs to Punjab, while Haryana fulfils its drinking water needs from the remaining share.

As Punjab refused to share extra water with Haryana, the BBMB moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court. At that time, the AAP volunteers led by Punjab minister Harjot Bains locked the gates of the Beas dam on May 8. The activists had also locked up Tripathi at a guest house in Nangal.

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