BBMB Moves High Court Against Punjab Police Control of Nangal Dam
The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on Monday filed a petition in the High Court, challenging the Punjab government’s move to deploy state police personnel at the Nangal Dam. The BBMB accused the state of unlawfully seizing control of the dam amidst an escalating dispute over water sharing with Haryana.
In its petition, the BBMB argued that Punjab’s actions were “unconstitutional and illegal,” violating the Board’s statutory mandate under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. It alleged that on May 1, Punjab Police forcibly occupied the Nangal Dam and the Lohand Control Room Water Regulation Office, obstructing the agreed-upon release of water to Haryana.
The dispute centers on a decision taken on April 23 by the BBMB's technical committee, which called for the release of 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. Punjab, however, refused to release more than 4,000 cusecs—its ongoing allocation—claiming Haryana had already exceeded its share.
During an April 30 meeting, the Board directed Haryana to place a formal indent with BBMB and notify Punjab. Punjab, instead of following due process, allegedly used police force the next day to block the additional water release, the BBMB said.
The petition contends that Punjab’s unilateral and forceful actions undermine the BBMB’s authority and threaten cooperative federalism. It warned that allowing any state to impose decisions by force would create “anarchic” precedents, disrupt interstate agreements, and harm the agrarian economy and environment of partner states.
The BBMB emphasized that any such disputes must be referred to the Central Government, as prescribed by the Board’s rules, not resolved through coercive means.
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