A fresh row unfolded on Wednesday after the Haryana government was denied permission to provide drinking water from the Bhakra dam by the Punjab government, as the excess water from the reservoir would flow to Pakistan.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has requested Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to empty the Bhakra reservoir, else the excess water will go to Pakistan via Hari-ke-Pattan, which is not in the interests of both states. Bhakra Dam is the largest dam operated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which is currently under the suspended Indus Waters Treaty.
Saini emphasised that Haryana had not received its full share of water, as per the allocated share. He also warned that if the water will not be released, then the water supply in Delhi will be affected, according to a report by News 18.
However, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann refuted Saini’s claim and refused to release more water, stating that Haryana had already utilised 103 per cent of its allocated share. He also accused the BJP of putting pressure on the Punjab government to fulfill the demands of Haryana.
The row erupted in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 26 tourists lost their lives. Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan rely on the Bhakra and Pong dams, both governed under the Indus Waters Treaty, to meet their water needs. However, the treaty was put on hold following the Pahalgam attack.
With the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Haryana Chief Minister Saini urged the Punjab government to increase water supply, noting that the state had received only 4,000 cusecs of drinking water, which accounts for roughly 60% of its total requirement.
“It is necessary to empty the Bhakra Dam water reservoir before June so that rainwater can be stored during the monsoon. If there is no space left in the water reservoir, excess water will go to Pakistan via Hari-ke-Pattan, which is neither in the interest of Punjab nor the nation,” he said.
Punjab & Haryana Locked In Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal Dispute
Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana have long been locked in a dispute over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal. Under a 1981 water-sharing agreement, the canal was to be built across both states to facilitate the equitable distribution of water. Later, the agreement was cancelled in 2004 unilaterally as Haryana constructed its portion of the canal while Punjab stopped the work in its initial phase.
The Punjab CM stated that Haryana had already used up its allocated water quota by March and is now requesting additional water for April and May. He emphasised that Punjab requires water for the upcoming paddy sowing season and claimed there isn’t a single surplus drop available.
Mann alleged that while Punjab had agreed to provide Haryana with 4,000 cusecs for drinking and related needs in April, the latter also demanded an extra 8,500 cusecs. He further accused the BJP of influencing the situation through the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and urged the Centre to redirect water destined for Pakistan to replenish Punjab’s reservoirs.
“I want to make it clear that we do not have a single drop of surplus water. We are utilising our share for our purposes. Haryana was given its share, which it has already used up two months ago,” he said.
He also added that water levels in Ranjit Sagar and Pong dams were lower by 39 feet and 24 feet, respectively, as compared to 2024.
In response, Haryana CM Saini accused Mann of politicising the issue, suggesting it was an attempt to retaliate against the people of Delhi following AAP’s defeat in the recent Assembly elections. “Bhagwant Mann advocated the low water level in Pong and Ranjit Sagar Dam, but did not explain the situation of Bhakra Dam, from where Haryana gets its drinking water,” he said.
Saini also claimed that Mann had initially assured him of water release but later delayed action until April 27, accusing him of misleading Haryana’s public for personal political gain.
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