Haryana-Punjab water row escalates over Bhakra board's decision; BJP, AAP trade barbs

CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: The long-standing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana intensified after Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Wednesday ordered release of 8,500 cusecs of water daily from Bhakra dam on the Sutlej river to Haryana, prompting a fierce response from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.
Mann visited Thursday Nangal dam - downstream from Bhakra - to ensure no additional water flowed to Haryana and accused BBMB of acting unilaterally under pressure from BJP-led govts in Haryana, Rajasthan and at Centre. "BBMB can't dictate terms to Punjab. We won't allow anyone to rob our waters," he said. Warning Centre, Mann added: "If Centre doesn't stop hatching conspiracies, it should forget about Punjab contributing paddy to PDS."
Dirty politics, alleges BJP; why Del stealing Punjab water: AAP
Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said he spoke with the BBMB chairman and no additional water from Punjab's quota would be released. "If Haryana wants more water, it should approach the Supreme Court," Bittu said, while calling Mann's actions political theatre aimed at misleading farmers.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini accused AAP govt of "dirty politics" and said this was the first time his state's drinking water supply had been cut. "If Punjab is thirsty, we will cut our share and give it to them. That is our culture," he said.
Saini said Haryana typically receives 9,000 cusecs from April to June, of which 500 cusecs go to Delhi and 800 to Rajasthan. He urged Mann to focus on development rather than "creating differences". Delhi water minister Parvesh Verma also condemned Punjab's actions, accusing the AAP-led govt of triggering a water crisis. "This threatens the lives of crores of citizens. Punjab is trying to deprive Delhi of its rightful share out of political vengeance," he said.
AAP's Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj refuted the charge, accusing BJP of hypocrisy. "The Indus Waters Treaty has been cancelled. Why doesn't BJP divert that water to Haryana and Delhi? They are stealing Punjab's water," he said.
Mann reiterated: "Punjab is facing a water crisis. Paddy season is near. Haryana wants water for irrigation, but so do our farmers. The Centre should instead divert water from Chenab, Jhelum, and Ujh rivers to Punjab."
According to Delhi Jal Board, the city receives 270 million gallons per day (MGD) from Bhakra, supplying water to 7.6 million residents. Any disruption, officials warned, could lead to a severe summer water crisis. Delhi's total daily water supply stands at 936 MGD, 90% of which comes from external sources.
Punjab officials cited BBMB figures showing Haryana had already consumed 104% of its annual 2.987 million acre-feet (MAF) allocation, using 3.11 MAF between Sept 21 and April 26. Rajasthan had used 110% of its share, while Punjab had used only 89%. Punjab argued that it had already been supplying 4,000 cusecs daily to Haryana and could not release more due to low dam levels and approaching paddy sowing season.