CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has suspended repair and maintenance work on housing units in its Nangal township that were designated for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, following mounting resistance from the Punjab government.
The decision to halt preparations came in the wake of a resolution passed Friday in the Punjab Assembly, which objected to the deployment of CISF troops at BBMB installations.
Last month, the BBMB had formally directed its Nangal officials to vacate and refurbish residential units in the CC, HH, H, GG and DD blocks, which were to be allocated to CISF personnel. Existing BBMB employees living in these units were instructed to move to alternative housing within the township. The board had planned to house 142 CISF personnel, including a commandant, two assistant commandants, three inspectors, eight sub-inspectors, 20 assistant sub-inspectors, 35 head constables, and 73 constables. Remaining personnel were to be accommodated at the Talwara township.
However, the maintenance work was abruptly paused amid concerns over the potential misuse of budget funds. “Punjab holds a 52 percent stake in BBMB and contributes its share of the funding. Since the state has opposed the CISF deployment, it has now refused to finance related expenses,” a source familiar with the board’s internal deliberations said.
The Union Home Ministry had demanded a payment of ₹7.5 crore from BBMB for the deployment of 296 CISF personnel. While Punjab had initially consented to the force’s deployment in 2021, the issue reignited this year amid an escalating dispute over water-sharing with Haryana. During that standoff, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led an AAP protest at Nangal Dam, blocking the release of additional water to Haryana until May 20.
“The deployment of CISF and funding decisions cannot be detached from the political tension over water distribution,” said a senior BBMB official, requesting anonymity. “The board is walking a tightrope between partner states.”
Despite Punjab’s objections, Haryana and Rajasthan continue to back the CISF’s placement at BBMB sites, sources said, but a final call from the board on the deployment is still pending.
