CHANDIGARH: Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that Haryana has further complicated water-sharing negotiations by increasing its already unfeasible water demand from 9, 525 cusecs to 10, 300 cusecs during today's Technical Committee meeting of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
Following the meeting of officials of state of Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana, the Cabinet Minister informed that Haryana's escalating demand clearly shows its unwillingness to reach a reasonable resolution to our shared water challenges. Haryana tactics appear designed to create an impossible situation rather than work toward practical solutions.
He said that in the Technical Committee meeting, chaired by the BBMB Chairman, Water Resources Secretary Krishan Kumar and Chief Engineer Sher Singh represented the Punjab, alongside Chief Engineers from Haryana and Rajasthan, with Central Government representatives participating virtually.
The Cabinet Minister said that "Haryana had initially demanded 8, 500 cusecs, which our technical team clearly explained was impossible to provide. On humanitarian grounds, Punjab has already been supplying 4, 000 cusecs since April 4 specifically for drinking water purposes, " said Barinder Kumar Goyal.
He informed that as we already explained our limitations, Haryana has demanded 10, 300 cusecs of water to be delivered from May 21 onward, despite their previous written correspondence requesting 9, 525 cusecs, which is significant and unexplained increase.
Barinder Kumar Goyal, while stressing the physical impossibility of meeting Haryana's demands, said that the Bhakra Main Line (BML) has a maximum capacity of 11, 700 cusecs. Punjab requires a minimum of 3, 000 cusecs for our own critical needs. Now, Haryana's demand of 10, 300 cusecs would effectively leave Punjab with almost no water and exceeds what the infrastructure can safely handle, especially while repairs of BML are ongoing.
He said that Punjab officials presented documentation of Haryana's previous written request for 9, 525 cusecs during the meeting, highlighting the contradiction with their new demand. The BBMB Chairman acknowledged the discrepancy and committed to examining the matter further, he added.
"By making these technically impossible demands, Haryana is deliberately creating complications in the water-sharing arrangement, " said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Punjab has consistently adhered to all BBMB rules and regulations, while Haryana continues to shift its position.
The Minister also clarified Punjab's position regarding the ongoing water supply, saying that the 4, 000 cusecs we have been providing to Haryana since April 4 is drawn from Punjab's allocation. We have formally stated that the total accumulated volume will need to be returned to Punjab when required.
The Cabinet Minister said that when the meeting began, the Rajasthan government expressed appreciation to Punjab for reliably supplying water when needed. In contrast, Haryana reverted to making excessive demands.