Punjab got 22% extra water in 20 years: Haryana minister cites data

Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry has firmly rejected Punjab’s claim that Haryana exceeded its allocated water share by March 2025, calling the allegation “completely wrong and unjustified”. The response came after Punjab told the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on April 30 that Haryana had consumed 104 per cent of its share.

Choudhry countered the claim with data showing that as of 2024 (filling and depletion period), Punjab had actually received 9.3 per cent more than its allocated share, while Haryana received 0.198 per cent less. “Over the last 20 years, Punjab has consistently received 22.44 per cent more than its allocation, whereas Haryana got just 7.67 per cent more,” she noted.

The water-sharing issue has been simmering since March this year. Due to urgent BBMB repairs, the Bhakra Main Line (BML) canal was partially closed from March 25 to April 20, while Haryana’s Western Yamuna Canal (WJC) underwent a blind closure from March 22 to April 21 for repairs at a downstream railway bridge.

To meet urgent drinking water needs and continue supply to Delhi and Rajasthan during the closure, Haryana requested Punjab to release 4,082 cusecs at the Haryana Contact Point (HCP), as the WJC supplies from the Yamuna were unavailable. Following a technical committee meeting, the BBMB agreed to this request on March 29. However, Punjab’s Chief Engineer (CE) of Canals questioned Haryana’s water needs and released only 3,000 cusecs, including 1,048 cusecs for Delhi.

Haryana CE of Bhakra Water Services responded with detailed data. Additionally, Haryana’s Additional Chief Secretary wrote to Punjab’s Principal Secretary on April 1, reiterating the request for 4,000 cusecs. Choudhry also wrote to Punjab’s Water Resources Minister the same day, stating that the WJC’s 10-day closure had passed without any repair work due to Punjab’s rigid stance. She said Haryana could not be blamed for infrastructure failures or water shortages in Delhi caused by this. Despite these communications, Punjab maintained that Haryana should not receive more than its official allocation.

At another meeting on April 4, the BBMB again approved the release of 4,000 cusecs to Haryana. Following this, Haryana’s Chief Secretary requested Punjab to direct its officials to comply. On April 23, the BBMB decided to allocate 8,500 cusecs to Haryana from April 24 to May 1 to meet increased demand and continue supplying partner states. Haryana submitted its indent accordingly, but Punjab failed to forward it to the BBMB, resulting in serious shortages in several Haryana districts, claimed Choudhry.

Haryana argues that under Clause 79(1)(c) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, the BBMB is responsible for the irrigation headworks at Ropar, Harike and Ferozepur.

However, Punjab has not handed over control of these sites, leading to inequitable distribution of water, according to Haryana. Additionally, Haryana claims it is receiving 800–1,000 cusecs less at the HCP due to faulty manual gauges. Although the BBMB has called for the installation of a real-time data acquisition system to ensure accuracy, Punjab has resisted implementing it.

At the April 30 BBMB meeting, a decision was again made to release 8,500 cusecs to Haryana for eight days. However, Punjab reportedly opposed the move and, on May 1, deployed police forces at the Bhakra Dam, Nangal Dam and other contact points to block the release of water.

“We are only asking for what is rightfully ours, not Punjab’s share,” Choudhry emphasised. She also pointed out that Punjab’s AAP-led government had previously raised no objections when Delhi, under the same party’s rule, received water through Haryana. She said Union Power Minister ML Khattar had assured Haryana that it would receive its lawful share. “If the matter is not resolved, we will approach the Supreme Court,” she added.

Haryana Tribune