Chandigarh/Rupnagar, May 2: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has stated that releasing an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana over eight days will result in only a marginal drop—4.70 feet—in the Bhakra reservoir, even assuming zero inflows.
In its April 30 resolution, the board defended the decision as sustainable and within safety margins, despite strong opposition from the Punjab government.
According to BBMB projections, the Bhakra reservoir level is expected to remain between 1,540 and 1,545 feet by May 20, 2025, the end of the depletion period—significantly above the long-term average and well above the technical minimum level of 1,506 feet.
The board also confirmed that the minimum draw-down level (MDDL) for Bhakra is 1,462 feet.
The BBMB said that water release decisions are based on a combination of factors, including each state’s share quota, current reservoir levels, monsoon forecasts, and drinking water needs.
“We have faced similar low-level situations in the past, most recently in 2021,” said BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi.
“The board’s decisions are guided by technical assessments and precedent.”
While Haryana typically receives around 8,000 cusecs in April and up to 9,500 cusecs in May, the latest order grants 8,500 cusecs from May 1 for eight days.
Of this, 500 cusecs will be routed to Rajasthan and 496 cusecs to Delhi to ease drinking water shortages.
The release was approved as a one-time exception even though Punjab did not submit the required indent, which is normally mandatory for inter-state water supply.
Punjab has recorded its objection in writing, arguing that Haryana’s demand exceeds reasonable drinking water needs.
“A supply of 8,500 cusecs is sufficient for a population of 15 crore, while Haryana’s population is only around 3 crore,” the Punjab government noted.
“This suggests that Haryana intends to use the water for irrigation—something Punjab cannot support at the cost of its own farmers.”
Punjab further warned that its water crisis is deepening, citing reservoir levels that are significantly lower than the previous year—by 32 feet at Pong Dam and 17 feet at Ranjit Sagar Dam. With Pong Dam under maintenance and unable to store water for the next 45 days, the state has cautioned of a critical shortfall during the paddy season.
Chairman Tripathi assured that Punjab’s needs would be taken into consideration during the reservoir filling period.
Meanwhile, the political row has escalated, with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini accusing Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann of distorting facts for political gain.
As per Central Water Commission data, the Bhakra reservoir stood at 20.71% of its full reservoir level (FRL) as of April 24, below the 25.14% recorded on the same day last year, and well under the 10-year average of 29.46%.
Read more: Punjab United, No Extra Bhakra Water for Haryana, Say All Parties
