Punjab’s canal water going to Haryana; Sukhbir Badal expresses ignorance

Chandigarh: Even though Punjab is facing acute water crisis as around half of its river water is allocated to non-riparian states, there are reports in print media that even more water is slipping away to Haryana due to non-maintenance of some of Punjab’s canals.

A news reported by a Punjabi vernacular (Punjabi Tribune) notes that around 400 cusec water of Punjab’s share was flowing out to Haryana per second.

Bhakhra Main Line [File Photo]

As per reports the small beaches of Bhakra Main Line (BML) and Nirvana Branch (NB) allocate water to Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Sangrur districts of Punjab. But due to poor maintenance of these small canals, their capacity is being utilised to the extent of 65-70 percent only and the remaining water flows out to Haryana.

As per another Punjabi vernacular (Rozana Ajit), Punjab’s Deputy CM and Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) chief Sukhbir Badal has expressed ignorance over the issue.