Saturday, March 29, 2025
Chandigarh, May 14 – The Punjab Haryana water dispute has grown more intense. Today, the Punjab and Haryana High Court will hear a review petition filed by the Punjab Government over the recent row about water release from the Bhakra Dam.
At the same time, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has called an urgent meeting. Engineers from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan will attend. They aim to finalize the strategy for water distribution in May and June.
On May 2, the Union Home Secretary chaired a key meeting. The High Court asked all states to follow the decisions made there, including Punjab releasing extra water to Haryana.
However, on May 8, tensions flared at Bhakra. Protestors and AAP leaders reportedly blocked the water release. BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi tried to intervene but faced resistance. He later claimed in an affidavit that Punjab Police stopped him and his team from managing the dam.
Punjab challenged Tripathi’s claims. In court, the state argued that he had earlier stated being helped by police. But in a May 9 affidavit, Tripathi accused the same police of illegal detention. The government pointed out this contradiction.
As a result, Punjab asked the High Court to act. Officials invoked Section 379 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. They alleged that Tripathi filed a false affidavit. They also urged the court to start perjury proceedings under Section 215 of the BNSS.
In addition, Punjab sought contempt action against Tripathi and Sanjeev Kumar, Director of Water Regulation. The state said both officials defied the High Court’s May 6 orders.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited Bhakra on May 8. He said no action should be taken until the detained Water Resources Minister is released. BBMB had already petitioned the court to resolve the deadlock.
The outcome of today’s court hearing and BBMB meeting may shape future water-sharing in the region. Rajasthan also relies on BBMB’s reservoir management, so the stakes remain high.
