Context: 

On May 9, the Punjab and Haryana High Court indicated it may issue a contempt notice to the Punjab government for obstructing the release of 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. This came after a protest at the BBMB rest house, where water release officials were physically prevented from carrying out court-mandated duties.

The court had earlier ordered Punjab not to interfere in BBMB’s functioning. The protest, led by political workers and attended by senior state leadership, was termed “unbelievable” by the court, as it defied direct judicial orders.

Background of the Bhakra-Nangal Project

The Bhakra-Nangal Project is one of India’s earliest and most significant post-Independence river valley development schemes. Located on the Sutlej River, it consists of the Bhakra Dam (in Himachal Pradesh) and the Nangal Dam (in Punjab).

The project is managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), which oversees the distribution of water among Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.

At the beginning of every accounting year, the BBMB allocates water to these states. For the current cycle, the allocation is:

• Punjab: 5.512 million acre-feet (MAF)
• Haryana: 2.987 MAF
• Rajasthan: 3.318 MAF

Punjab claims that Haryana has already withdrawn 3.110 MAF, which amounts to 104% of its allocated share.

Structural Causes of the Water Crisis in Punjab and Haryana:

1. Depletion of water resources: As per Central Ground Water Board data, groundwater extraction exceeds recharge rates by 66% in Punjab, 51% in Rajasthan, and 34% in Haryana, creating long-term aquifer stress. Additionally, major reservoirs like Bhakra, Ranjit Sagar, etc., have reported unusually low levels due to reduced snowmelt from the western Himalayas, highlighting the impact of climate variability.
2. Human induced causes: Widespread cultivation of water-intensive crops such as paddy, coupled with subsidized electricity and free water supply in states like Punjab and Haryana, encourages unregulated pumping of groundwater. Rapid urban expansion in cities like Gurugram, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana has increased municipal and industrial water demands, straining already limited resources.
3. Indus Waters Treaty Constraints: Signed in 1960, the treaty limits India’s use of western rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum), reducing water availability for northwestern Indian states.

Legal and Constitutional Framework

• Entry 56 of Union List empowers the Union to regulate interstate rivers.
• Entry 17 of State List gives states control over water resources within their territories.
• Article 262 of the Constitution provides that Parliament may legislate to resolve water disputes and exclude court jurisdiction.

Two key legislations operationalize Article 262:

• River Boards Act, 1956: Allows for central regulation via river boards (none formed yet).
• Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956: Enables creation of tribunals. The 2002 amendment introduced timelines—one year for tribunal formation, three years for decisions.

Conclusion

The Bhakra-Nangal dispute underlines critical challenges in interstate water governance, including compliance with legal frameworks, transparent administration, and equitable resource sharing. As climate variability intensifies, such disputes may grow unless addressed through scientific assessments, intergovernmental dialogue, and judicial oversight. Respect for institutional mechanisms and cooperative approaches are essential to prevent further deterioration of inter-state relations and ensure water security for all stakeholders.