Punjab cuts Bhakra canal water to Haryana, tension escalates as crisis deepens

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has reduced the supply of Bhakra Canal water to Haryana from 8,500 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs, triggering a confrontation between the two states.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which oversees water distribution, has referred the matter to the central government under Section 7 of the BBMB Rules 1974, following a request by the Haryana government.

The Union Ministry of Power, which oversees BBMB, is headed by former Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. He is expected to take a decision on the issue. Khattar accused the Punjab government of not adhering to “Raj Dharma”.

The water cut has led to a crisis in several Haryana districts. In Hisar, a tanker mafia is charging Rs 1,200 for a 400-litre tanker. Sirsa is also facing shortages.

Irrigation has been banned in Fatehabad, while construction work and washing stations have been shut down in Jind. In Jhajjar, farmers have been advised against bathing in canals, and a water connection cut warning has been issued in Panchkula.

INLD national president Abhay Chautala warned that if Punjab fails to restore Haryana’s water share, routes between the two states may be blocked.

He cited the Supreme Court’s order on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal and criticised the Punjab Chief Minister, accusing him of inciting conflict between farmers of both states through irresponsible remarks.