On April 23, 2025, the technical committee of BBMB had decided to release 8500 cusecs of water to Haryana.
State governments cannot interfere in the functioning of Bhakra Beas Management Board: High Court latest news: The Punjab and Haryana High Court, while delivering its verdict on the alleged interference of the Punjab government in the operation of Bhakra Nangal Dam and Lohand Control Room, has clarified that state governments cannot interfere in the functioning of Bhakra Beas Management Board. A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumit Goel gave this direction after hearing three petitions.
On April 23, 2025, the technical committee of BBMB had decided to release 8500 cusecs of water to Haryana. This water also included the share of Rajasthan and Delhi. The decision was later confirmed by the BBMB on April 24, although Punjab objected, saying that Haryana and Rajasthan were demanding more water than their allotted share.
The situation further complicated after the Punjab Police allegedly took over the control of Bhakra Nangal Dam and Lohand Control Room on May 1. The BBMB approached the High Court, terming it as an illegal interference in its powers. Simultaneously, Haryana lawyer Ravinder Singh Dhul and the panchayat of Matana village in Fatehabad also filed public interest litigations seeking adequate water supply to Haryana.
In its detailed judgment on May 6, the High Court directed Punjab to refrain from interfering in the functioning of the BBMB and confine itself to security arrangements only.
The court made it clear that it is not acceptable to obstruct the operation of the dam in the name of its security. Besides, Punjab was ordered to comply with the decision of a meeting held on May 2 under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary, Government of India, in which it was decided to release 4500 cusecs of additional water to Haryana.
In the judgment, the court, citing the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 and the Bhakra Beas Management Board Rules, 1974, clarified that the BBMB is a central body and its control is under the Central Government. In case of any disagreement, the State Government should register its objection through the Centre and should not interfere directly.
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