BBMB Water Release Order to Haryana Triggers Political Storm; Punjab Govt Cries Foul Over Officer Transfers

BBMB Water Release Order to Haryana: A major controversy has erupted after the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) ordered the release of 8,500 cusecs of water from Bhakra Dam to Haryana, leading to the abrupt transfer of two senior officers and triggering political outrage in Punjab.

The Director of Water Regulation at Nangal, Akashdeep Singh, a Punjab cadre officer, was transferred a day after resisting the order. He has now been replaced by Sanjeev Kumar, a Haryana cadre officer, raising eyebrows and intensifying the decades-old inter-state water dispute.

Officer Reshuffle Sparks Accusations

While BBMB claims the transfer was made “at the request” of Akashdeep Singh, the latter has categorically denied making any such request in a written letter to the Board. This has further deepened the controversy, with Punjab officials alleging external pressure and political interference behind the reshuffle.

Interestingly, Surinder Singh Mittal, the Secretary of BBMB and a Haryana native, was also transferred later in the day. The move followed allegations from Punjab government officials that Mittal played a central role in facilitating the water release order favoring Haryana.

Punjab Government Fumes, Explores Legal Options

The Punjab government has strongly objected to BBMB’s directive, with Chief Engineer of Punjab raising questions over the qualifications of the newly appointed Water Regulation Director, Sanjeev Kumar. “He has expertise in dam safety, not in water regulation,” the Chief Engineer stated in an official communication, urging BBMB to revoke the decision.

Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains visited Nangal Dam and compared the situation to an emergency flight scenario: “Secure your own oxygen mask first. Punjab must secure its own water needs before helping others.” Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann is also expected to visit the site shortly.

AAP Launches Statewide Protests

In a sharp escalation, Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced statewide protests against the BBMB’s water release decision. The protests began on May 1, with party leaders accusing the central board of acting unilaterally and ignoring Punjab’s water needs.

“This is an assault on Punjab’s rights. The BBMB is undermining federal principles,” an AAP spokesperson said during demonstrations.

Rising Tensions & Security Tightened

Security has been significantly increased around the Bhakra Dam in Nangal amid fears of public unrest. Protestors are demanding transparency and a rollback of the BBMB’s order.

Meanwhile, the Board has appointed Balbir Singh, an engineer from Rajasthan, as the new Secretary of BBMB and Director (Security). Rajiv Saini, a Punjab engineer, has been named as Officer on Special Duty (Technical) to the BBMB Chairman.

What’s at Stake?

The issue has reignited the long-standing Punjab-Haryana water sharing dispute, which has often flared into legal and political battles. Punjab maintains that it does not have surplus water to share, citing depleting groundwater levels and agricultural dependency. Haryana, on the other hand, has consistently demanded its “rightful share.”

As BBMB moves ahead with its water release plan to Haryana, Punjab braces for an intense legal and political showdown. With AAP mobilizing public sentiment and officer reshuffles raising serious concerns, the issue is poised to become a significant flashpoint in the region’s water politics.