Use Indus Treaty suspension to solve Punjab’s water crisis, says CM Mann amid canal dispute with Haryana

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged that the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan be seen as a chance to address his state’s escalating water crisis.

During a high-level meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini on Wednesday to discuss the contentious Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, Mann emphasised that Punjab’s needs must come first.

"The recent decision by the Centre to suspend the Indus Water Treaty opens up the possibility of greater utilisation of water from the western rivers within Indian territory," Mann said, linking the decision to retaliatory action after the Pahalgam terror attack.

He stressed that Punjab, facing serious groundwater depletion, should be prioritised in any plans for the future use or redistribution of river water.

Mann also proposed a shift in thinking - suggesting a Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) instead of the existing SYL plan. “Haryana and Punjab are brothers. Now this fight should end. There has always been politics over the matter. Both the states have been fighting for 2 MF water, but if the canal comes from Kashmir, we will get 23 MF water,” he said.

The SYL canal, conceived after Haryana was formed from Punjab in 1966, was part of a 1981 agreement meant to ensure fair water sharing. Of the proposed 214 km canal, 122 km would be in Punjab and 92 km in Haryana. However, the project hit a roadblock in 2004 when the Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, aiming to scrap all earlier agreements, including the 1981 pact.

Although the Supreme Court ruled in 2002 in favour of Haryana, Punjab’s challenge was dismissed in 2004, and the issue remains unresolved.

At Wednesday’s meeting, which was chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Mann reiterated that Punjab simply doesn’t have enough water to share. “Most of the state's blocks are overexploited, and the groundwater situation in the state is dire,” he said, calling the SYL canal an “emotive issue” that could lead to law and order problems across multiple states, including Rajasthan.

Both Mann and Saini expressed optimism that progress could be made.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 5. “A meaningful discussion took place in a cordial atmosphere,” said Saini. He added that Mann recognised the issue had been pending for too long and needed resolution. “Punjab and Haryana are like brothers, and even today, they share a common space with mutual respect and harmony,” he said.

Senior officials, including Union Secretary Debashree Mukherjee and state-level representatives from both Punjab and Haryana, also attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticised the Centre for what he called a lack of decisive action. “The court had handed over the responsibility of getting Haryana's share of water to the central government. The BJP is in power both in Haryana and at the Centre… Haryana should have got its share of water by now,” he said, suggesting that a contempt of court case should be filed.

Adding to the political pressure, INLD MLA Rania Arjun Chautala accused Mann of using the issue for political gain. “Water is a natural resource over which the entire country has rights, not just of a state. SYL is the lifeline of Haryana. Haryana's right. Haryana should get water,” he said, urging the Centre to take immediate steps to settle the dispute.