Pb Calls Hry's Demand For More Water 'Unfeasible'

Punjab said on Thursday that Haryana has made a fresh demand for the release of 10,300 cusecs of water from the Bhakra dam, and called it unfeasible.

- Gurpreet Singh Nibbar

CHANDIGARH:

The controversy came ahead of the new water-sharing cycle that starts on May 21 and a day after the Punjab and Haryana high court sought response from the Centre, Haryana and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on a plea from Punjab, seeking recall of a May 6 order that directed the state to allow the release of additional 4,500 cusecs of water to neighbouring state.

Punjab water resources minister Barinder Goyal accused Haryana of being unwilling to reach a reasonable solution by escalating the demand for water. "We will not allow the robbing of our rights."

"Haryana's escalating demand clearly shows its unwillingness to reach a reasonable resolution to our shared water challenges. Haryana tactics appear to create an impossible situation rather than work toward practical solutions," said Goyal.