August 6, 2025

In a significant move to address the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called on the Central Government to utilize the waters of the Chenab River. During a meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Mann discussed the potential benefits of diverting Chenab water while also advocating for the scrapping of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project. Mann stated that recent developments concerning the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan have created an opportunity for India to harness water from the Chenab River, a resource previously designated to Pakistan. He emphasized the need for constructing new canals and infrastructure in Punjab to facilitate the distribution of this additional water. The proposed canals would primarily address Punjab's needs before supplying water to neighboring states like Haryana and Rajasthan. This initiative, according to Mann, could reduce Punjab's reliance on groundwater and revive surface irrigation, benefiting the state's vital agricultural community. The Chief Minister highlighted the urgency for sustainable water management in Punjab, which is grappling with severe groundwater depletion. He proposed that the allocation of western river waters, especially from the Chenab, should prioritize Punjab to enhance its agricultural output. Additionally, Mann outlined plans for the construction of new storage dams upstream in Himachal Pradesh to optimize water flow from the western rivers. Furthermore, he argued that the SYL canal should be replaced with the Sharda-Yamuna Link project, which would facilitate the transfer of surplus water from the Sharda River to the Yamuna River, therefore eliminating the need for the contentious SYL. Mann pointed out that this alternative would not only meet Haryana's water requirements but also address the growing demand for drinking water in Delhi and Rajasthan. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of revisiting the water allocation agreements among Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, advocating for Punjab's inclusion as a partner to ensure a fair distribution of the Yamuna's surplus water. He continued by outlining that Haryana has multiple sources of water, which have not been considered in previous allocations. Mann cautioned that the SYL canal remains an emotive issue for Punjab, and its construction could potentially escalate into serious law and order challenges. He reiterated that Punjab's total water needs amount to 52 million acre-feet (MAF), while the state currently only has access to 26.75 MAF. Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini commented on the discussions, indicating progress in the negotiations and expressing optimism for a cooperative resolution to the water sharing complexities between the two states. As discussions continue, both states seem committed to finding a sustainable solution that acknowledges their respective water needs while alleviating tensions surrounding this critical resource.

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Tags: Chenab river, Syl canal, Water sharing, Punjab, Haryana,