BBMB releases water to Haryana, Mann advises judicious use

8,500 cusecs of water flowing to Haryana, say board officials; AAP workers holding a dharna at Nangal dam call off protest

- Karam Prakash and Gurpreet Singh Nibber

PATIALA/CHANDIGARH: With the beginning of the new water-sharing cycle, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) released 100 cusecs of water per hour to Haryana from the Bhakra-Nangal Dam on Wednesday.

The BBMB, at a meeting on May 15, stipulated that Punjab would get 17,000 cusecs of water, Rajasthan 12,400 cusecs and Haryana 10,300 cusecs in the new cycle of water-sharing that started on Wednesday.

According to BBMB officials, who didn't wish to be named, 8,500 cusecs of water is being released to Haryana.

The officials added that Punjab is getting 3,000 cusecs, and the release will depend on the daily requirements of the partner states.

"For 10 days starting from May 21, BBMB has allocated 10,300 cusecs for Haryana, 12,400 for Rajasthan and 17,000 cusecs for Punjab. It is to be seen how much water will be released to three states," the official said.

While the water was being released, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann addressed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters, who had been camping at the Nangal Dam for the past month to ensure no water is shared with the neighbouring state.

"Water has been released according to the new cycle, and Haryana should use its share judiciously as Punjab does not have even a drop of additional water to spare. Today, 100 cusecs of water per hour is being released to Haryana," he told the AAP workers, who later called off their month-long protest.