BBMB Archives - National Times

22 May

CM Bhagwant Mann Slams Centre Over CISF Deployment at Bhakra Dam, Questions BJP’s Stand on Punjab’s Water Rights

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Bhagwant Mann, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): Escalating tensions over the ongoing water-sharing dispute with Haryana, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched a scathing attack on the central government and state BJP leaders during a press conference, raising serious objections to the Centre’s decision to deploy Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at Bhakra Dam. On May 19, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notice stating that 296 CISF personnel will be deployed at the Bhakra Dam site. According to the communication, the cost of this deployment would be Rs 2,90,100 per head annually, totaling a staggering Rs 8.58 crore, to be…

14 May

High Court Boosts Punjab’s Water Fight, Puts Haryana and BBMB on Notice

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In a bold move that may reshape inter-state water politics, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Haryana government and BBMB, marking a judicial shift in Punjab's favour in the contentious water-sharing conflict. Punjab had filed a review petition challenging what it called an unjustified demand for extra water by Haryana. The court admitted the petition, calling the matter “serious,” and asked Haryana to explain why it needed additional water when existing allocations were already in place. The court also questioned the Bhakra Beas Management Board's recent change in stance, asking for…

08 May

BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi Detained in Nangal for Attempting to Release Water to Haryana

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Haryana, Punjab

Nangal (National Times): In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) Chairman Manoj Tripathi and the board’s secretary have been detained for allegedly attempting to release water to Haryana from the Bhakra Nangal Dam. The development was confirmed by Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Harjot Singh Bains, who stated that Tripathi’s actions were unauthorized and that he would remain in custody until legal action is taken against him. According to sources, Tripathi is being held at a rest house in Nangal, Punjab, under tight security. Bains,…

07 May

State Governments Cannot Interfere in Bhakra Beas Management Board Operations: Punjab and Haryana High Court

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Punjab, Punjab News

Chandigarh (National Times): The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that state governments have no authority to interfere in the operations of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), addressing allegations of undue intervention by the Punjab government in the functioning of the Bhakra Nangal Dam and Lohand Control Room. The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumit Goel after hearing three related petitions. On April 23, 2025, the BBMB’s technical committee decided to release 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, which included allocations for Rajasthan and Delhi. This decision was ratified…

05 May

BBMB Drags Punjab Govt to Court, Alleges ‘Forceful Takeover’ of Nangal Dam

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In a dramatic turn in the escalating water conflict, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has taken legal action against the Punjab Government, accusing it of a forceful and unconstitutional occupation of the Nangal Bhakra Dam using state police forces. Filing a petition in the High Court, BBMB has demanded the immediate removal of Punjab Police deployed in the vicinity of the Bhakra Nangal headworks, calling their presence a “blatant overreach.” BBMB alleges that Punjab Police personnel have occupied key installations at the dam site, disrupting BBMB's authority and compromising the neutrality of a central water management…

05 May

Punjab Assembly Passes Resolution Against BBMB Over Water Release to Haryana

nishuthapar10 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): Amid escalating concerns over depleting water resources, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Bhakra Beas Management Board’s (BBMB) directive to release an additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. Introduced by Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, the resolution highlighted that Punjab is battling a severe water crisis, with 115 out of 153 blocks facing groundwater depletion, and is in no position to provide further water to neighboring states. Minister Goyal pointed out that Haryana has already exhausted its annual water quota, and an earlier release of 4,000 cusecs had already…

01 May

Haryana Officer Replaces Punjab’s Akashdeep at BBMB Nangal Amidst Growing Water Tensions

nishuthapar10 CommentsPunjabBBMB, Haryana, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): A key reshuffle at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has raised eyebrows in Punjab amid an intensifying water-sharing conflict with neighboring Haryana. Punjab cadre Superintendent Engineer Akashdeep, who held the dual responsibilities of Director NHP at BBMB Chandigarh and Director Water Regulation at BBMB Nangal, has been abruptly transferred. He will now serve as Director Dam Safety at BBMB Nangal. Taking his place is Sanjeev Kumar, a Haryana cadre officer, who will now oversee water regulation duties at Nangal Dam in addition to his role as Director NHP. The timing of the transfer has sparked outrage…

01 May

Political Row Erupts After BBMB Okays More Water to Haryana, Punjab Protests

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsHaryana, PunjabBBMB, Haryana, Punjab

Chandigarh (National Times): In a decision that has sparked sharp backlash from Punjab, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has approved the immediate release of 8,500 cusecs of water from the Bhakra Dam to Haryana, citing humanitarian concerns amid the latter’s reported water shortage. The decision was taken during a lengthy technical committee meeting chaired by BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi. While Punjab opposed the move, stating that no surplus water was available, it found itself isolated as BJP-ruled Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi collectively pushed the demand through. Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh remained neutral. Haryana officials, led by Anurag Agarwal, Additional Chief…