Tensions have increased between Punjab and Haryana over water sharing from the Bhakra dam.
The Union government advised Punjab to follow the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) order to release 4,500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana for eight days.
It was agreed that during dam refilling, BBMB would provide Punjab with extra water if needed.
BBMB will now decide how to implement the water release to Haryana.
In Punjab, all political parties supported the State government’s stance to oppose the Union government’s directive.
CM Bhagwant Mann announced a special Punjab Assembly session to condemn the Centre’s and BBMB’s actions.
Haryana’s minister said Punjab wrongly claimed Haryana had exhausted its water share, citing long-term data showing Punjab often got more than its fair share.
She warned that Haryana might move the Supreme Court if the issue remains unresolved.
Haryana CM has called for an all-party meeting to address Punjab’s refusal to release water.
Bhakra Dam
Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River and is near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in northern India.
It is India’s second tallest at 225.55 m high next to the 261m Tehri Dam.
Its reservoir, known as the “Gobind Sagar”, stores up to 9.34 billion cubic meters of water.
Nangal dam is another dam downstream of Bhakra dam.
Sometimes both the dams together are called Bhakra-Nangal dam though they are two separate dams.
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