The already strained relationship between Punjab and Haryana over the sharing of river waters has plunged into deeper controversy following a recent order from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) mandating the release of water to Haryana. This directive has not only sparked strong objections and protests from Punjab but has also led to the transfer of two key officials within the BBMB, further escalating the tension and adding a new layer of complexity to this protracted inter-state dispute.

The BBMB, a central authority established under the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, is responsible for the regulation and distribution of water and power from the Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Chandigarh. Its decisions regarding water allocation are often fraught with political and economic implications for the beneficiary states, particularly Punjab and Haryana, both of which heavily rely on irrigation for their agricultural economies.

The current controversy erupted when the BBMB issued an order instructing Punjab to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. This directive was met with immediate and vehement opposition from the Punjab government, which argued that Haryana had already utilized a disproportionate share of the allocated water for the current accounting season, spanning from September 22, 2024, to May 20, 2025. Punjab officials contended that releasing additional water to Haryana would severely impact their own irrigation needs and deplete the water levels in the crucial Bhakra Dam, jeopardizing the state’s agricultural interests.

Adding fuel to the fire, the BBMB, in the wake of this contentious order, transferred two key officials. Akashdeep Singh, an Executive Engineer-rank official from the Punjab irrigation department who held the crucial position of Director (Water Regulation) at Nangal, was reassigned as Director (Safety), BBMB, Nangal. He was replaced by Sanjeev Kumar, an officer from the Haryana irrigation department, who now assumes the sensitive charge of Director (Water Regulation).

The timing of these transfers, coming immediately after the BBMB’s directive to release water to Haryana and amidst strong protests from Punjab, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. The move is being interpreted by many in Punjab as a deliberate attempt to sideline the state’s interests within the BBMB and to facilitate the release of water to Haryana despite Punjab’s objections. Allegations of a coordinated effort between the central government, Haryana, and certain elements within the BBMB to undermine Punjab’s water rights have surfaced, further exacerbating the already strained relations.

Interestingly, the official transfer orders for both Akashdeep Singh and Sanjeev Kumar reportedly stated that the transfers were made at the request of Akashdeep Singh himself. However, this claim has been vehemently denied by Singh, who, in a letter to the BBMB, explicitly stated that he had made no such request. This discrepancy has further fueled suspicion and mistrust, with Punjab officials alleging that Singh was transferred out of the crucial water regulation role as he was insisting on adhering strictly to the Bhakra Dam Regulation Manual, which mandates a formal indent from Punjab before water can be released to other states – a condition that Punjab has not met.

In response to the BBMB’s order and the subsequent transfers, the Punjab government has reacted strongly. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the move as an act of “robbery” of Punjab’s rights, asserting that the state would not tolerate any forcible diversion of its water. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab announced state-wide protests against the BBMB’s decision, alleging that the central government and the BBMB were conspiring to deprive Punjab of its rightful water share in favor of Haryana.

Adding to the escalating tensions, Punjab has reportedly heightened security measures at the Nangal Dam, a crucial regulatory structure for water release from the Bhakra Dam. This move is seen as a precautionary measure amid fears of potential unrest and a show of defiance against the BBMB’s directive. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains even reached the dam site with party workers to stage a protest, further underscoring the state government’s strong stance on the issue.

Conversely, Haryana has maintained that it is entitled to its allocated share of water and that the BBMB’s directive is in line with established water-sharing agreements. Haryana’s leaders have accused Punjab of unnecessarily politicizing the issue and obstructing the rightful flow of water to their state, particularly during a time when it is crucial for irrigation.

The controversy surrounding the BBMB’s water release order and the subsequent transfers of officials has once again brought the complex and politically charged issue of water sharing between Punjab and Haryana to the forefront. The unfolding events highlight the deep-seated mistrust and conflicting interests that continue to plague inter-state relations in the region, underscoring the urgent need for a fair, transparent, and mutually acceptable resolution to this long-standing dispute. The coming days are likely to witness further political maneuvering and potentially legal challenges as both states fiercely protect their perceived water rights.