Water war erupts at Nangal Dam—Punjab defies centre, blocks Haryana flow

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared that no additional water would be released to Haryana, defying an 8,500-cusec water release directive issued by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The announcement, made in Chandigarh, immediately escalated tensions, prompting the Punjab government to deploy heightened security at the Nangal dam in Rupnagar district. The BBMB’s directive, which Mann termed “unilateral and unjust,” has triggered a broader political and administrative standoff.

What Happened at Nangal Dam in Punjab?

The security deployment at the Nangal dam followed a protest by Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers. According to local administration officials, the group asserted control over the dam’s water regulation facility on Wednesday evening and handed its keys over to the Punjab Police. Punjab authorities have maintained continuous monitoring of the site, fearing possible unrest after public and political mobilisation over the BBMB order.

The Bhakra Beas Management Board had instructed the release of 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, citing inter-state sharing protocols. However, the Punjab Chief Minister argued that Haryana had already consumed over its allocated share for the water year and accused the BBMB of exceeding its jurisdiction.

Why Did the Punjab Government Refuse to Release More Water?

According to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab’s refusal stems from hydrological distress and diminishing water reserves in Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams. He asserted that the state was already experiencing water stress due to declining snowmelt and rainfall deficits in the upper Sutlej catchment areas. He further alleged that the BBMB’s directive was politically motivated, claiming it was influenced by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led governments at the Centre and in Haryana.

Mann added that the state would not release “a single additional drop” to Haryana, reiterating that Punjab had no surplus water to distribute. He accused the BBMB of acting beyond its mandate and said legal action was under review.

What Is the Role of the Bhakra Beas Management Board?

The BBMB is a central agency constituted under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, tasked with managing the Bhakra Nangal and Beas river systems, and ensuring equitable distribution of water between Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. While BBMB directives are considered binding under central supervision, their enforcement depends on state-level compliance.

Officials from the BBMB, speaking to national media, said the order to release water was consistent with annual quotas and technical assessments. However, the Punjab government has contested both the methodology and intent, stating that Haryana’s cumulative usage had already surpassed its allotment.

What Is the Context of the Punjab-Haryana Water Dispute?

The latest standoff adds to a decades-old legal and political deadlock surrounding the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project, which was intended to facilitate water transfer between Punjab and Haryana following the state’s reorganisation in 1966. The dispute has led to multiple rounds of litigation in the Supreme Court, several legislative resolutions, and political protests across both states.

Punjab maintains that the original 1981 water-sharing agreements are outdated and unenforceable due to drastic changes in water availability. In contrast, Haryana continues to push for implementation, citing judicial rulings that validate its right to a fixed water share and canal construction.

The 2004 Punjab Termination of Agreements Act, which attempted to annul all previous water-sharing commitments, has remained under judicial review, further complicating the legal environment.

How Are Political Stakeholders Reacting to the Crisis?

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has convened an all-party meeting in Chandigarh to consolidate a state-wide consensus on resisting the BBMB directive. He indicated that a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly may be called if legal action against the BBMB proceeds. The Aam Aadmi Party’s central leadership has backed Mann’s stance, calling the BBMB decision an “injustice to Punjab.”

On the other side, Haryana officials criticised the Punjab government for “obstructing a lawful directive.” Haryana CM Nayab Saini is expected to take the matter up with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and possibly the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking enforcement of the BBMB order.

Meanwhile, opposition parties in Punjab including the Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress have also expressed support for maintaining Punjab’s water rights, though they criticised the method of protest as potentially provocative.

Are Legal or Federal Interventions Expected?

The situation could advance into a new round of litigation, with Punjab potentially seeking a stay on the BBMB order. Legal experts indicated that while BBMB decisions carry weight under federal law, a state can contest specific implementations citing local water stress or ecological changes. The Centre may have to step in to mediate or clarify the legal applicability of BBMB’s mandate in this instance.

According to senior legal commentators, the matter may be referred back to the Supreme Court, especially given the involvement of central infrastructure and the cross-jurisdictional implications.

What Is the Broader Impact on India’s Water Policy?

This incident reinforces the fragile nature of India‘s inter-state water-sharing frameworks, which often rely on outdated data, ambiguous legal agreements, and weak enforcement protocols. Analysts warn that without institutional reform — including updated water treaties, basin-wide planning bodies, and climate-adaptive policies — such flashpoints will only increase in frequency.

Both Punjab and Haryana are facing acute groundwater depletion. With over 80% of irrigation dependent on groundwater, the unsustainable extraction is putting additional pressure on river systems. The dispute also comes at a time when northern India is preparing for peak summer demand, raising alarms about potential agricultural disruption in both states.

What Comes Next?

As of Thursday morning, Nangal dam remains under close security observation. Punjab Police and local administration officials confirmed that no untoward incidents had occurred overnight. The situation remains tense, with Punjab government officials expected to file legal papers by Friday if the BBMB does not withdraw its directive.

The central government has not issued an official statement yet, but the Ministry of Jal Shakti is reportedly in contact with both state governments. Media outlets reported that backchannel discussions are underway to de-escalate the standoff before it triggers wider unrest or disrupts regional water management systems.

For now, the spotlight remains on whether Punjab’s resistance will trigger federal intervention, or whether judicial mechanisms will be invoked once again to address the recurring and unresolved dispute between the two northern Indian states.