Tensions Escalate Over Bhakra Nangal Dam as Punjab Resists Water Release to Haryana
A day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court barred the Punjab government from interfering in the operations of the Bhakra Nangal Dam and the Lohand Control Room, fresh tensions have erupted over water sharing between the two states.
Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi is headed to Nangal amid mounting friction. His visit triggered an alert in the Ropar district administration, which in turn informed the Chief Minister's Office. In response, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann swiftly rushed to Nangal, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Concerns are growing within the Punjab administration that Tripathi may attempt to unilaterally order the release of 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana — a move fiercely opposed by Punjab. Sources within the state government have alleged that BBMB officials tried to forcibly release water from the Nangal Dam, prompting police personnel stationed at the site to detain the officials involved.
Punjab, with support from all major opposition parties in the state, has taken a firm stance. The government maintains it will not release any additional water to Haryana beyond the 4,000 cusecs already being supplied. Punjab claims that Haryana exhausted its allocated quota — meant to last until May 21 — by March 31. Despite this, Punjab says it has been supplying an extra 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana since April 4 on humanitarian grounds.
In a further development, the Punjab government has formally written to the BBMB Director of Security, requesting detailed minutes of a meeting held on May 2 with the Union government. The meeting, chaired by Union Secretary Govind Mohan, is believed to have addressed key issues related to water release. Punjab has demanded that no action be taken to release additional water until the minutes of that meeting are shared and reviewed.
Meanwhile, Punjab police have significantly ramped up security around the Nangal Dam and the Lohand Control Room to prevent any unauthorized action.
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