ROPAR, May 8 — A day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court barred the Punjab government from intervening in the operations of the Bhakra Nangal Dam, tensions flared further as Manoj Tripathi, Chairman of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), set off for Nangal.
His visit raised immediate concerns in Punjab, particularly over fears that the BBMB might order the release of an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana—exacerbating an ongoing dispute between the two states.
As news of Tripathi’s visit reached the Ropar district administration, the Punjab Chief Minister’s office quickly sprang into action.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alarmed by the potential move, rushed to Nangal to prevent any attempt to force the release of extra water.
The water dispute has become a significant point of contention, with Punjab alleging that BBMB officials tried to release the water by force.
Sources within the Punjab government claimed that the attempt was thwarted after police personnel at the site detained the BBMB officials.
The Punjab government, backed by opposition parties in the state, has been firm in its stance, refusing to release any water beyond the 4,000 cusecs currently being provided to Haryana. Punjab argues that Haryana had exhausted its allocated water quota for the dam by March 31, although it was originally set to last until May 21.
In a gesture of goodwill, the Punjab government has been providing an additional 4,000 cusecs of water to Haryana since April 4, despite the quota having been depleted.
However, Punjab’s resolve remains unchanged, as it continues to reject any further water releases to the neighboring state.
“We will not release additional water to Haryana,” a senior Punjab government official stated. “The quota has been exhausted, and we cannot compromise our resources.”
As political and legal tensions continue to mount, both states are bracing for further developments in this high-stakes water dispute.
Read more: HC Bars Punjab From Interfering in Bhakra Dam Operations
