Use the water from the Chenab River, and forget about the SYL canal dispute: This is the suggestion by the Punjab Chief Minister to the Central Government.
The ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana continues to be a contentious issue, with recent tensions centering around the Punjab and Haryana High Court case against the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the unresolved Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute. However, a new approach to resolving this issue is gaining traction, with both states exploring the possibility of utilizing Chenab river waters to create surplus water for equitable sharing.
The discussions, which were held in a cordial and cooperative atmosphere, mark a significant step forward in the ongoing dialogue between the two states. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the Centre to consider utilizing the waters of the Chenab River to resolve the water-sharing dispute with Haryana.
At the heart of the issue is the BBMB's recent water releases to Haryana, which Punjab argues violates water-sharing agreements and has exacerbated the state's reservoir shortages. The Punjab government has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the BBMB, alleging "illegal" water allocation to Haryana beyond its agreed share.
The SYL canal dispute remains unresolved, with Supreme Court intervention imminent. The canal, meant to deliver Haryana’s share of Ravi-Beas waters, has long been a contentious issue for Punjab. The recent talks between the Punjab and Haryana chief ministers have remained largely inconclusive, but both states, backed by the Centre, are exploring the idea of utilizing Chenab river waters to create surplus water for equitable sharing, potentially resolving the SYL deadlock.
The proposal to divert Chenab waters gained prominence after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary remarks suggesting that rechanneling Chenab waters could assist regional water sharing. The Punjab and Haryana CMs termed recent Centre-facilitated talks positive, seeing potential in this approach to alleviate the water-sharing tensions and specifically the SYL issue.
However, political voices in Punjab caution against conflating the SYL canal dispute with the broader Indus Waters Treaty context, warning it could jeopardize Punjab’s interests. The long-conceived project of the Sharda-Yamuna Link should be taken up on priority to address the issue of water scarcity in the region.
Punjab, currently facing groundwater depletion, should be prioritized in any future strategies for the usage, diversion, or allocation of these river waters. Mann suggested allocating the waters of the western rivers to Punjab on a priority basis. The additional water available could offset the balance water requirement of Haryana from the Ravi-Beas system.
The total water requirement of Punjab is 52 Million Acre Feet (MAF), but the water available with the state is only 26.75 MAF, according to Mann. Utilising Chenab water will reduce Punjab's dependence on groundwater. Mann also suggested scrapping the Sutlej Yamuna Link canal project, instead proposing the Sharda-Yamuna Link for transfer of surplus Sharda River water to the Yamuna River.
The Union government has informed in a previous meeting that the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan has been suspended, which could pave the way for a more flexible approach to water management in the region. The Yamuna-Sutlej Link canal memorandum of understanding of May 12, 1994, should be reviewed after 2025.
Haryana will present its case in a "positive and solution-oriented" manner before the Supreme Court on August 13, and Saini expressed confidence that a fair and favourable resolution will be achieved. These canals and infrastructure can first be used to meet the needs of Punjab, and then supply water to Haryana and Rajasthan.
In conclusion, the proposed utilization of Chenab river water offers a promising solution to the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana. While political caution remains about mixing SYL disputes with the Indus Waters Treaty issues to protect state interests, the potential benefits of this approach cannot be ignored. The long-term goal should be to ensure equitable water distribution, prioritizing the needs of states like Punjab facing water scarcity, and fostering cooperation and dialogue between the states to achieve a sustainable and amicable resolution.
[1] The Tribune [2] The Indian Express [3] The Hindu [4] The Times of India [5] The Wire
- The Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, has urged the Centre to consider utilizing the waters of the Chenab River as a potential solution to the persistent water-sharing dispute with Haryana.
- The discussion about utilizing Chenab river waters to resolve the water-sharing issue between Punjab and Haryana has been positively received by both state chief ministers, with the Centre also backing this approach.
- The recent talks between Punjab and Haryana chief ministers have highlighted the potential of the Chenab river waters in addressing the long-standing SYL canal dispute, which remains unresolved.
- The proposed utilization of Chenab river water could lead to a more equitable distribution of water, prioritizing the needs of states like Punjab facing water scarcity, and fostering dialogue between the states for a sustainable resolution.
