Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu accuses BBMB of risking lakhs of lives with Pong Dam water release, says FIR lodged

Sukhu was replying to Congress MLA Malender Rajan, who raised the issue of devastation in the two regions under Rule 62.

Presenting the figures in the House, Sukhu said, “A devastation was caused in 2023 when the BBMB released 1.42 lakh cusecs from Pong Dam, submerging 10,000 hectares of land, damaging 81 houses, 45 cattle sheds, and several roads and bridges in the areas of Indora and Fatehpur region. Around 2,500 people were rescued after being airlifted by the Indian Air Force.”

“The total estimated damage then stood at Rs 28 crore, including heavy losses to the Public Works Department, power infrastructure, and drinking water schemes. This year, the situation is again alarming. As of August 21, 2025, the water level in the reservoir stood at 1,384 feet, and the BBMB was releasing 70,000 cusecs of water, set to increase to 75,000 cusecs by August 22,” Sukhu added.

The chief minister also lashed out at the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana for obstructing Himachal’s rights, pointing to pending arrears worth approximately Rs 44,000 crore owed to the state by the BBMB. “Despite repeated warnings to strengthen the Early Warning System and to ensure controlled release of water, the BBMB has not acted responsibly,” Sukhu stated. He informed the House that the issue has been pending in the Supreme Court and the next hearing is scheduled for next month.

Sukhu said the BBMB operates three major multipurpose projects, including the Bhakra Hydropower Project, Beas-Sutlej Link Project (BSL), and the Pong Hydropower Project in Himachal Pradesh.

“These projects not only generate electricity but also cater to the water needs of northern India. The monitoring of these dams falls under the National Dam Safety Authority. Sadly, the water is from Himachal Pradesh but the people of the state are getting only devastation and losses,” he stated.

The Pong Dam, constructed on the Beas River, primarily serves irrigation needs while also generating power. It has a total storage capacity of 8,570 million cubic metres and an active storage capacity of 6,932 million cubic metres. Its spillway gates can discharge up to 12,375 cubic metres of water per second (cumecs).

The chief minister’s written reply stated, “In Fatehpur, around 50–60 hectares of farmland and crops have been destroyed in the last two years. Four houses have been completely damaged and four partially damaged. At least 38 cowsheds have collapsed. Relief camps have been set up, and 23 families comprising 107 people have been shifted to safer areas.”

“In Indora, over 100 hectares of agricultural land have been washed away, two bridges damaged, and three houses demolished. Several villages remain cut off. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed a team in Kathgarh,” it added.

The chief minister demanded strict compliance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and warned the BBMB that it would be held accountable for all downstream losses caused by excessive and unplanned water release.