Photo Source: Nayab Saini's X account
Haryana releases 10-year water data, accuses Punjab of blocking 1.88 MAF and using 2.48 MAF extra
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, May 3, 2025: The Haryana government has raised serious concerns over the ongoing water crisis, citing official data that reveals the state is receiving only 764.8 crore liters of drinking water against a demand of 4,931.9 crore litres, amounting to just 15.5% of its requirement.
"The shortfall has triggered alarm across several districts, with 215 water sources completely dry and 36 villages now dependent solely on water tankers for drinking needs," claimed the state government.
In a detailed note referencing BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) regulations and water allocations, Haryana has accused the Punjab government of violating constitutional norms by blocking its rightful water share.
"The technical committee of BBMB had approved the release of 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana on April 23, 2025, a decision reaffirmed during the BBMB board meeting on April 30. However, the Punjab government has reportedly released only 4,000 cusecs, nearly half of the agreed amount," Haryana government asserted.
Data shared by Haryana Govt of last 10 years
The data highlights that:
- Haryana's total allotted capacity is 12.55 MAF (million acre-feet), including 3.5 MAF from Ravi-Beas, 4.40 MAF from Satluj, and 4.65 MAF from Bhakra.
- However, only 10.67 MAF is currently usable, with 1.88 MAF blocked due to the non-completion of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal.
- In contrast, Punjab is using 17.15 MAF of water, despite an allocation of only 14.67 MAF—an excess of 2.48 MAF, partly by consuming Haryana’s share and an additional 0.6 MAF allotted to Rajasthan.
The government note further stated that in districts such as Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Jind, and Bhiwani, water scarcity is now critical. The state government described Punjab's unilateral action as “inhuman, illegal, unjust, and unconstitutional.”
Additionally, the document cited 10-year historical data to refute Punjab’s claims of a water shortage at the Bhakra Dam. As of May 3, 2025, the dam’s water level stood at 1555.77 feet, comparable to previous years, including 1567.96 feet in 2023 and 1565.26 feet in 2024. Average water discharge in May has also remained consistent, averaging over 9,000 cusecs across the last decade.
Haryana has requested the immediate removal of restrictions placed on its share and urged Punjab to comply with BBMB’s technical committee decisions. The state also called for urgent desilting of the Gobind Sagar Reservoir and expressed readiness to bear its proportional share of the cost.
The Haryana government reiterated its commitment to securing its water rights legally and politically, including pushing for the completion of the long-delayed SYL canal. It also appealed to the public in both states to maintain peace and resist divisive narratives.