In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has barred the Punjab government and its police from interfering in the operations of the Bhakra Nangal Dam, currently managed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The Court also directed Punjab to release an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana and Rajasthan, in accordance with a decision made during a recent high-level meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary.
The order came in response to a petition filed by BBMB, which alleged that Punjab Police had forcibly taken over operational control of the dam following the directive to release 8,500 cusecs of water. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, expressed strong concern over the alleged actions, stating, “We are doing this to our enemy country. Let us not do this within our States.”
The Court emphasized that while the Punjab Police may offer security to BBMB personnel, it cannot interfere with the dam’s daily functioning. It further noted that Punjab had failed to utilize the statutory remedy of representing its objections to the Central Government, as provided under BBMB Rules.
In its order, the Court allowed the Centre to consider BBMB’s proposal for deploying paramilitary forces at the dam to prevent similar disruptions in the future. It also stated that any representation now made by Punjab should be addressed promptly by the Centre.
