Bhakra issue: No irrigation losses reported in Haryana, claims Centre

The Union government has said that water supply to Haryana through the Bhakra Canal system is being managed under an approved rotational programme to ensure equitable distribution and no adverse impact was reported on farmers during the reduction of supplies earlier this year.

In a written reply to a question by Sirsa MP Kumari Selja in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said irrigation water in Haryana was supplied mainly through the Western Jamuna Canal system and the Bhakra system, which includes the Tail Bhakra Main Line (BML) and the BML-Barwala Link system. The minister said the state government prepared a rotational programme keeping in view water availability, irrigation requirements of different areas and the need to ensure assured supply up to the tail-end farmers.

Choudhary said all channels under the Bhakra Canal system were operated strictly as per this programme, and routine inspection, timely repair and rehabilitation works were carried out by the government to avoid disruption. Ahead of the monsoon, Punjab and Haryana authorities conducted joint inspections to identify and repair vulnerable sections of the BML and Narwana Branch canals.

On the issue of reduced water supply earlier this year, he said during March-April 2025, when deliveries were low, Haryana managed distribution according to the approved rotational plan and gave top priority to drinking water needs. Since there was no demand for irrigation water during this period, there was no adverse impact on crop requirements, he claimed.

To address water-sharing issues, the government said a committee had been constituted under the chairmanship of the Member (Irrigation), Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), with representatives from partner states and the Central Water Commission. The panel was tasked with resolving issues of share and distribution of water to partner states in the Nangal Hydel Channel and Bhakra Main Line.

The minister assured that the system of inspections, repairs and rotational programmes would continue to ensure uninterrupted and equitable water supply to Haryana in the future.