Latest news with #IrrigationandWaterResourcesDepartment
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal Dispute To Resolved Soon: Haryana Chief Minister
New Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has expressed confidence that the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) issue will be resolved soon, asserting that the Punjab government has also sought a solution to the problem. Mr Saini made the remarks after attending a high-level meeting here on the SYL issue convened by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Wednesday. The chief minister said a meaningful discussion took place in a cordial atmosphere in the meeting which was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. It was decided that the next meeting will take place on August 5, a state government release said. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Chief Minister Saini said meaningful discussions were held in the meeting. He said the chief minister of Punjab also acknowledged that this issue should be resolved as it has remained pending for far too long. Mr Saini expressed confidence that a positive outcome will be achieved on this issue. He said that Punjab and Haryana are like brothers, and even today, they share a common space with mutual respect and harmony. He added that discussions in the next meeting are expected to lead to a better solution and yield positive results. The meeting was also attended by Union Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary of Irrigation and Water Resources Department Anurag Aggarwal, along with several senior officials from the Irrigation Department were present in the meeting.
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Haryana CM Saini holds key meeting, reviews pivotal irrigation and water resource projects worth over Rs 100 crore
New Delhi [India], June 16 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the state government is taking firm and determined steps to strengthen the irrigation and water infrastructure. Under this initiative, five major projects under the Irrigation and Water Resources Department are being implemented, each with an investment exceeding Rs 100 crore. These projects aim to enhance water conservation and improve irrigation efficiency, he said. The Chief Minister said this while presiding over a review meeting of various pivotal projects of the Irrigation and Water Resources Department here today. Issuing strict directions, the Chief Minister said there must be no unnecessary delay in preparing engineering drawings. Delays in drawing approvals hinder project implementation, he said. CM Saini further said that strict action will be taken against officers responsible for such delays. Besides this, he also directed that special attention be paid to maintaining quality in the projects, stating that no compromise on quality would be tolerated. The Chief Minister said, 'A new parallel lined channel (PLC) from Dadupur to Hamida Head and the modernisation of the WJC is being carried out with an investment of Rs 274.87 crore. The objective of this project is to reduce seepage losses from the Hathnikund Barrage during the non-monsoon period.' So far, 64.5 percent of the work has been completed, with a target to finish by March 2026, he said. Nayab Singh Saini further stated that the reconstruction of the augmentation canal up to the WJC Branch (75.25 km) is being undertaken at a cost of Rs 383 crore, with 80 percent of the work completed and expected to finish by June 2025. Similarly, the lining and remodeling of the PD Branch (from Munak to Khubru Head) is underway at a cost of Rs. 197.80 crore, which includes concrete lining over 145.25 kilometers. He said that the structural safety project involving the construction of a diaphragm wall downstream of the Hathnikund Barrage, with an investment of Rs 145.99 crore, is progressing well. Likewise, to supply water to the Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant under the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (NPCIL), an RCC barrel and link channel are being constructed at a cost of Rs. 442.64 crore, with most of the work already completed, said Saini. The Chief Minister said that the Irrigation Department has prepared short-term strategies for Monsoon 2025 to ensure uninterrupted water supply and protect infrastructure during the season. These include temporary protective works at the Hathnikund Barrage and maximising discharge capacity in critical canals, he said. Saini said that the Haryana Government is committed to the timely implementation of these mega projects, which are vital for the state's water security and agricultural sustainability. Continuous monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and stakeholder engagement are being prioritised to overcome challenges and expedite execution, he said. Chief Secretary, Anurag Rastogi, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rajesh Khullar, Commissioner and Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Mohammed Shayin, EIC, Satbir Kadian, and other senior officers also attended the meeting. (ANI)
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Completion of SYL Canal essential to resolve water dispute between Punjab and Haryana'
Amid the ongoing conflict between the Haryana and Punjab governments over water-sharing, former Superintending Engineer in Haryana's Irrigation and Water Resources Department (I&WRD), Shiv Singh Rawat, offers insight into the Ravi-Beas water dispute, the legal deadlock, political polarisation, and institutional shortcomings. Excerpts: What is the current water dispute between Punjab and Haryana? In April 2025, Haryana reported a sharp decline in its water supply from the Bhakra dam and approached the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to raise its allocation from 4,000 cusecs to 8,500 cusecs. The BBMB's technical committee partially met the demand by approving an additional 4,500 cusecs for eight days. Punjab opposed the decision, claiming Haryana had already used 3.110 million acre-feet (MAF) — 104% of its sanctioned share for the depletion period (September 21, 2024-May 20, 2025). It argued that Bhakra and Pong dam levels were critically low and insisted on capping Haryana's supply at 4,000 cusecs to protect its own agricultural needs. Haryana countered that water reserves were sufficient and accused Punjab of making false claims. It also pointed out that Punjab had received 22% excess water over the past two decades. As tensions escalated, the BBMB sought intervention from the Central government. The Centre advised Punjab to follow the BBMB recommendation. But the deadlock continues. What is the significance of the Ravi-Beas water dispute? This is a long-standing inter-State conflict over the equitable sharing of surplus waters from the rivers. The dispute affects agriculture, drinking water, regional development, and political relations in northern India. While Haryana cites historical agreements, tribunal rulings, and Supreme Court verdicts to demand its share, Punjab argues it lacks sufficient water due to rising demand and ecological degradation. What is the legal and historical background? The roots of the dispute trace back to the post-Independence period. Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, India retained control over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — while Pakistan received the western rivers. In 1955, 15.85 MAF of Ravi-Beas water was allocated among Punjab (7.2 MAF), Rajasthan (8 MAF), and Jammu & Kashmir (0.65 MAF). After Haryana's creation in 1966, it was granted 3.5 MAF. In 1976, a government order split 7.2 MAF equally between Punjab and Haryana. The 1981 agreement adjusted this, reducing Haryana's share to 45.33% and increasing Punjab's. To facilitate this allocation, the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal was proposed. The 1985 Punjab Accord reaffirmed both water-sharing and the SYL Canal. The Eradi Tribunal later fixed Haryana's share at 3.83 MAF and Punjab's at 5 MAF, stressing that the SYL Canal was essential for Haryana. However, Punjab halted canal construction in 1982 under political pressure, and in 2004, it passed legislation terminating all earlier water agreements. The Supreme Court declared this termination unconstitutional, but implementation remains stalled. What operational challenges does Haryana face in accessing the Ravi-Beas water? Haryana's key challenge is the non-completion of the SYL Canal. The State relies on the Bhakra Main Line and Narwana Canal — both outdated and suffering from siltation and wear and tear. The Supreme Court directives and tribunal rulings have not been enforced. As a result, Haryana receives only 1.62 MAF of its 3.5 MAF entitlement, losing 1.88 MAF annually. This water shortfall hits the State's southern districts hard, leaving over 3 lakh hectares of farmland uncultivated and impacting agricultural output . What is the role of the Bhakra Beas Management Board? Formed under the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, the BBMB operates under the Ministry of Power. It manages the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects — reservoirs, canals, and power stations — and regulates water release based on storage, snowmelt forecasts, and inflow data. The BBMB follows a two-season cycle: depletion period (September 21-May 20) and filling period (May 21-September 20). Monthly technical committee meetings, chaired by the BBMB chairman and attended by State officials, decide allocations based on levels like Bhakra dam's critical 1,506 feet level. Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the BBMB also plays a strategic role in ensuring surplus water does not flow into Pakistan. How do you view BBMB's role in the April–May 2025 dispute? The BBMB's actions were critical but controversial. It cut Haryana's allocation from 8,500 to 4,000 cusecs, citing low reservoir levels, which sparked strong protests from Haryana. The State also highlighted that its representative — Member (Irrigation), Haryana — has not been appointed, weakening its say in the BBMB decisions. Accusations of bias towards Punjab surfaced, although the BBMB defended its actions as technically sound. What are the broader implications of the dispute? The unresolved dispute has significant socio-economic and environmental costs. Farmers in Haryana's Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa districts face severe irrigation shortages. Punjab fears further losses may worsen its groundwater crisis. Politically, the issue has polarised both States and escalated public tensions. Environmentally, poor coordination leads to unutilised monsoon water flowing into Pakistan and excessive groundwater extraction on both sides. Governance suffers from institutional gaps, including the BBMB vacancies and outdated tribunal assessments. What solutions do you propose? Completion of the SYL Canal is essential. Additionally, alternative water transport systems, irrigation efficiency upgrades, crop diversification, water conservation, and groundwater monitoring must be prioritised. The Centre must facilitate sustained inter-State dialogue and promote confidence-building measures. A long-term political consensus should replace short-term electoral interests.
