Centre backs BBMB decision to release extra water to Haryana
Chandigarh: Validating the Bhakra Beas Management Board's (BBMB) move to release additional water to Haryana, the central govt has stated that no intervention is required under Rule 7 of the BBMB Rules, 1974, at this stage.
The Centre has pointed out that the water level in Bhakra reservoir has increased since the last technical committee meeting (TCM), and considering this, water may be supplied to the partner states of BBMB depending on their requirements.
Further requesting the high court to direct Punjab to comply with HC's May 6 and 9 orders, the Centre has prayed for dismissal of Punjab govt's plea with cost. According to the Centre, it has not received any reference from Punjab under Rule 7 BBMB Rules 1974.
These submissions have been made by the power ministry through Anil Kumar Gautam, deputy director (BBMB desk) in response to the petition filed by the Punjab govt to seek clarification/modification of the May 6 order.
The power ministry has informed that considering the urgent
water requirements
of Haryana, the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) held on April 23 decided to release 8500 cusecs water for 8 days -- April 24 to May 1 -- from BBMB dams to Haryana.
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However, the decision of the meeting could not be implemented due to non-cooperation from Punjab. The issue was, therefore, deliberated in the board meeting held on April 28 without any consensus.
It has been further stated that BBMB on April 29 had forwarded the reference dated April 29 from Haryana who requested to refer the matter to central govt under Rule-7 of BBMB rules 1974. The matter has been examined in the light of Rule 7 of BBMB Rules 1974.
Thereafter, the BBMB was advised by this ministry on April 29 to resolve the issue in the board as per provisions of BBMB Rules 1974. Accordingly, on April 2025, the board, by majority, resolved to release 8500 cusecs from May 1 for 8 days, even without placing the indent by Punjab as one-time exception/relaxation considering the reservoir level, historical data, IMD monsoon forecast and ongoing water crisis in the states of Haryana and Rajasthan.
"The compliance of the decision was also advised in the meeting taken by the Union home secretary on May 2 with Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and BBMB. The reading of the rule states that in case of any policy decision or where the rights of any state are affected, the matter is to be referred to the central govt through the chairman of the board. However, the reference forwarded by the BBMB for a decision by the central govt does not relate to a question of policy or the rights of any participating state, rather it was an operational matter," the Centre informed the HC.
Now, the case would come up for hearing on May 22, when the state of Punjab would file rejoinder to the Centre's reply.
BBMB requests to CS, DGP Punjab
The court has been informed that the BBMB chairman on May 3, 5 & 7 requested the Punjab chief secretary to direct the concerned officers and functionaries of the govt to cooperate in implementing the decisions of the BBMB. Further secretary, BBMB, on May 11, also requested the Punjab DGP to consider taking necessary action to remove unauthorised persons from the BBMB sites, Nangal Dam and Lohand regulation gates, so that normal operation for regulation of water supplies may be resumed.
Subsequently, on May 14, director (security) BBMB also requested DGP Punjab for this.
Increased water flow
The reservoir level at Bhakra was 1557.77 feet (1290 live storage) on April 23 and was up to 1559.86 feet (1330 MCM-Live storage) as on May 15. The outflow during the last 5 days was 73809 cusecs days (@ 14762 cusecs per day) and the inflows during the last 5 days had been 84147 cusecs days (@16829 cusecs per day). Normally, the Bhakra reservoir level on May 20 is targeted not to go below 1506 ft to keep some cushion for delayed monsoon.
Excess water to Punjab
The Centre has also clarified that as decided in the BBMB meeting of May 3, the technical committee constituted for the deciding water releases from the dam will provide this excess water to Punjab during the filling period of dams to fulfil any additional requirements. Hence, BBMB may take further decisions in this regard in the next TCM and board meeting.
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