SYL talks: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann floats Chenab plan to resolve water dispute

Time of India

2 days ago

Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday urged the Centre to duly utilise water of the Chenab to resolve the long-pending water dispute between Punjab and Haryana by shelving the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) issue.
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After attending a meeting of Punjab and Haryana CMs called by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil over the SYL issue, Mann said that during the last meeting held on July 9, the Centre said that the
with Pakistan had been suspended.
This opens up a major opportunity for India to utilise water from the Chenab river, one of the western rivers earlier given to Pakistan under the treaty.
Mann said the Centre should now divert Chenab's water to Indian dams like Ranjit Sagar, Pong, or Bhakra.
To carry this extra water, new canals and infrastructure could be built in Punjab, he suggested. Mann said that such canals and infrastructure could be first used to meet the needs of Punjab, after which the water could be supplied to Haryana and Rajasthan through the same canal system. "Using Chenab water will reduce Punjab's dependence on groundwater, revive surface irrigation, and support the farming community.
Waters of the western rivers should be allocated to Punjab on a priority basis," he said, adding that new storage dams upstream of existing Bhakra and Pong Dams in Himachal Pradesh should be constructed to significantly enhance the storage and regulation of western river waters.
Batting for the shelving of the SYL canal issue, Mann said that the Sarda-Yamuna link for the transfer of surplus Sarda water to the Yamuna river and the diversion of Chenab water to the Beas river through the Rohtang tunnel should be done to eliminate the need for the SYL canal.
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According to him, the long-conceived project of the Sharda-Yamuna Link should be taken up on priority basis, and surplus water should be transferred to the Yamuna river at a suitable location. He said that the additional water made available could offset the balance water requirement of the state of Haryana from the Ravi-Beas system, apart from addressing the ever-growing drinking water requirement of Delhi and the availability of the Yamuna water to Rajasthan.
Mann pointed out that the SYL canal was an "emotive issue" over which Punjab could have serious law and order issues, with Haryana and Rajasthan bearing the brunt too.
SOME POSITIVE HEADWAY
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said discussions took place in a good atmosphere. "The Supreme Court had said that if this issue can be resolved through talks, meetings should be held. We hope that some steps could be taken forward. There is no fight between the people of Punjab and Haryana.
The issue has been politicised. Both chief ministers and the Jal Shakti Minister held the meeting, and some positivity has emerged from the discussion.
A path forward can be created, for which a meeting will be held before the 13th... I hope I was successful in presenting Punjab's perspective, and I hope the Centre will consider it," said Mann.
TAKES POT SHOTS AT CENTRE
Taking pot-shots at the Centre, CM Mann said he hoped that the decision on the Indus Water Treaty would not be reversed. "I hope that US President Donald Trump doesn't post something on X (formerly Twitter) saying, 'I have revived the Indus Water Treaty.' The treaty should stay suspended as it will help Punjab get more water. Punjab has to use it to grow good and give it to the country." He was speaking to media persons after the Centre's meeting on SYL.