Punjab-Haryana Water Dispute: High Court hears all arguments, says 'verdict will be delivered today' | LIVE UPDATES
May 6, 2025 04:37 PM
Chief Justice's Bench announces 'Verdict will be delivered today'
May 6, 2025 04:34 PM
High Court hears all arguments, says 'decision will be delivered soon'
High Court hears all arguments, says 'decision will be delivered soon'
May 6, 2025 04:21 PM
Haryana clarified that everyone has a share in this water, and it is BBMB that decides how much water each party will receive
May 6, 2025 04:19 PM
Haryana presents complete data of 10 years in Punjab and Haryana High Court
May 6, 2025 04:18 PM
The Haryana Government rejected all of Punjab's arguments, stating that since BBMB holds full operational control over the site, how can the Punjab Government interfere in this matter?
May 6, 2025 04:10 PM
The BBMB lawyer stated that initially, there were only 15 police personnel at the site. However, as soon as the dispute erupted, the number of police officials was increased to 55.
May 6, 2025 04:07 PM
The Centre said the Punjab Government should withdraw Punjab Police personnel from the site.
May 6, 2025 04:06 PM
The Centre said, "Today Punjab says it won't release water — what if tomorrow Himachal starts saying the same?"
May 6, 2025 04:04 PM
The Additional Solicitor General of India, representing the Central Government, stated that the water was requested for only eight days.
May 6, 2025 04:04 PM
Arguments...
The Punjab Government reiterated that the police were deployed at the dam due to perceived security threats, questioning how BBMB could object to this. In response, BBMB stated that ensuring security is the responsibility of its own Director of Security.
BBMB further asserted that there are designated committees and boards to resolve such disputes—how can Punjab make unilateral decisions?
May 6, 2025 04:03 PM
Punjab Government presents full history; submits response
Punjab Government presents full history; submits response
May 6, 2025 04:00 PM
'Security threat' to Nangal Dam
Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department has written a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab's Home Department, requesting immediate intervention to maintain law and order in and around Nangal Dam. Chief Engineer Charanpreet Singh of Bhakra Dam also informed the SSP of Ropar via email about the situation. Protesters have gathered near Nangal Dam and Lohand Khad, staging demonstrations that are disrupting the work of dam staff. Security has been sought via email to ensure the safety of officials, employees, and the dams themselves.
May 6, 2025 03:57 PM
Hearing on Punjab-Haryana water dispute begins in High Court
BBMB lawyer presenting arguments
Says 'Punjab government is acting wrongly'
Adds, 'if Himachal also behaves the same way with Punjab...'
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court will continue hearing today on the intensifying water-sharing dispute between the two states, marking the second consecutive day of legal proceedings. During Monday’s hearing, the High Court issued notices to the Central Government, the Haryana Government, the Punjab Government, and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), seeking their responses on the matter.
At the core of the dispute is Haryana’s allegation that Punjab has blocked its rightful share of water, leaving over 200 waterworks (Jal Ghars) across the state dry. Representing Haryana, the state's Advocate General argued before the court that Punjab’s actions have jeopardised drinking and irrigation water supplies for thousands of residents. In response, the Punjab Government maintained that it has already released Haryana’s share and is unable to provide any additional water.
The legal battle has seen three petitions filed in the High Court so far. The first two were submitted on Saturday — one by Advocate Ravinder Dhull and another by the Fatehabad Gram Panchayat. Both petitions requested the court to direct the Punjab Police to vacate its forces from the Bhakra Dam and to ensure water flow into Haryana resumes, allowing access to sufficient drinking and irrigation water. The petitions specifically asked for the release of 8,500 cusecs of water, as determined in a recent BBMB meeting. Petitioners emphasised that water from the Bhakra reservoir is a lifeline not only for Haryana but also for Punjab, Rajasthan, and Delhi.
On Monday, BBMB itself filed a petition, raising alarm over Punjab Police’s takeover of the dam's operations. According to BBMB, Punjab Police personnel have seized full control of the dam, including all key control units, obstructing the board’s ability to manage water distribution across states.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Legislative Assembly convened a special session on Monday, during which six resolutions related to the water issue were passed. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, addressing the Assembly, asserted that while Punjab is currently releasing some water to Haryana, it would not continue to do so in the future. Responding to allegations by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini that Punjab's actions could divert water towards Pakistan, Mann dismissed the claims, stating, “Not a single drop is going to Pakistan.”
Haryana CM Nayab Saini, for his part, strongly condemned Punjab's stance, calling the resolutions passed in the Punjab Assembly unconstitutional and against India’s federal framework. “The Haryana Cabinet denounces Punjab’s resolution to block drinking water. We urge the Punjab Government to release Haryana’s water immediately and unconditionally,” Saini said. He added that the BBMB is a statutory body constituted by an Act of Parliament and functions under the Central Government’s authority, dismissing Punjab’s unilateral claims over the water and the dam’s management.
- PTC NEWS
