Act in place but nothing has changed when it comes to dam security in Punjab

Though the Dam Safety Act was passed in 2021, the ground situation in Punjab, as far as the security of dams, hasn't changed.

- Ravinder Vasudeva

CHANDIGARH: Though the Dam Safety Act was passed in 2021, the ground situation in Punjab, as far as the security of dams, hasn't changed.

Under the Act, BBMB had moved a proposal for the deployment of four companies, each led by a commandant-rank officer with a total of 435 personnel, at Bhakra Dam, Nangal Dam and other key regulators and water channels (canals).

"Nothing has changed in the security related to dams in Punjab or those dams in which the Punjab government has a share ever since the Dam Safety Act came into force. All security-related aspects are being handled by local police," a senior BBMB official said pleading anonymity.

At present, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) only guards the BBMB's Beas Sutlej Link (BSL) project in Sundernagar, which falls in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh (HP). CISF's 235 personnel took over the BSL security in 2024.