May 12, 2025 : The Punjab government has once again failed the plan to release extra water from the Nangal Dam to Haryana. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had prepared a schedule to release 4500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana after the High Court’s decision was made public yesterday. The Punjab government, through Haryana’s action, had directed the BBMB’s Director (Water Regulation) Sanjeev Kumar to release the extra water. The gates of the Nangal Dam were set to be opened today.
Upon learning of this, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the Nangal Dam for the third time. Led by Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, a group of people held a protest at the Nangal Dam. The BBMB was supposed to open the gates, but due to the presence of the crowd, the staff responsible for opening the gates withdrew. BBMB put pressure on the officials to provide names of those obstructing the opening of the gates, but the staff cited the crowd as the reason for the delay.
Although the technical process to release extra water had been completed, the gates of the dam remained closed. It should be noted that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued a decision on May 6, instructing the implementation of a meeting decision under the leadership of the Union Home Secretary. The meeting had decided to release 4500 cusecs of extra water to Haryana. The High Court had also earlier issued notices for contempt of court to the Chief Secretary and DGP for obstructing the opening of the Nangal Dam gates.
Meanwhile, the police were present near the protest area but remained a little distance away, fearing that they might become involved in a contempt of court case. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized that he would not allow any exploitation of Punjab’s water and would stand firm against the central conspiracy. He stated that the BJP-led central government, through the BBMB officials, was attempting to exploit Punjab’s waters at a time when Punjab was steadfastly defending against Pakistan at its border.
Punjab Government to Challenge High Court’s Decision in Supreme Court:
The Punjab government plans to challenge the High Court’s decision to release extra water to Haryana in the Supreme Court on Monday. The Advocate General’s office has started finalizing the petition for this. When the High Court’s decision was issued on May 6, officials had suggested challenging the decision in the Supreme Court immediately, but at that time, the Punjab government had hoped the case might go in their favor due to the lack of central meeting minutes.
Where Did the Water Go? – Bhagwant Mann
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today criticized the farmer unions at Nangal Dam, questioning their silence while Punjab’s water was being taken away. He asked where the farmer leaders were when water was being siphoned off by Haryana. He also questioned their silence regarding the attempts of Haryana to take water, highlighting that the farmer leaders had not commented on this issue. He criticized the farmer leaders for only knowing how to block highways.
Secret Plan to Release Water at Night?
After the failure of the plan to release extra water to Haryana during the day, BBMB has devised a new strategy. It is learned that BBMB plans to attempt releasing water from Nangal Dam at night, when the protesting people have left the area.
Summary: The plan to release extra water to Haryana once again failed to materialize, leaving the region with a continued water shortage.