Punjab flags flaws in new Bhakra-Pong rule curves
Chandigarh: Punjab govt has flagged flaws in the new rule curves for Bhakra and Pong dams, saying the downstream carrying capacity of Sutlej and Beas rivers was not considered while preparing them and that the curves have not yet been formally approved by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Punjab has sought revision of the rule curves and highlighted severe siltation in both reservoirs. The state has also demanded an enhanced role in decisions on dam operations during flood situations.
In the affidavit submitted by Krishan Kumar, principal secretary, department of water resources, Punjab, in a petition over recurring floods in Punjab filed by Public Action Committee (PAC) and others, the state said Sutlej and Beas carry major flood water which affects the livelihood of residents in all three regions of Punjab, namely Majha, Malwa and Doaba.
The dams were constructed by Govt of India with state shares over these rivers, with Pong Dam on Beas and Bhakra Dam on Sutlej. The operation, maintenance and supervision of these dams are under the control of BBMB. The state submitted that the floodwaters of rivers Sutlej and Beas flow exclusively into Punjab and the entire downstream flood impact is borne solely by State of Punjab.
The state said Punjab suffered severe flood damage in 1988, 2019 and again during 2023 and 2025, when levels reached near 1,680 ft at Bhakra Dam and crossed 1,390 ft at Pong Dam, creating an imminent risk of overtopping. “The reduced Full Reservoir Level (FRL) acted as a critical safety buffer, and any relaxation thereof would have resulted in catastrophic flooding in Punjab,” it said.
Punjab further submitted that it had raised observations on the new rule curve submitted by Central Water Commission (CWC), as it had some flaws, and the rule curves had not yet been formally approved by BBMB. “The downstream carrying capacity of the rivers was not considered while preparing these rule curves; hence, these rule curves need to be revised,” the state submitted. The state also flagged the progressive reduction in the effective storage capacity of Bhakra and Pong dams owing to severe siltation.
“It is a well-established technical fact that continuous inflow of sediment from the upstream catchment areas has resulted in substantial accumulation of silt in both reservoirs, thereby diminishing their live storage capacity year after year,” Punjab said. It submitted that de-siltation of the reservoirs would result in restoration and enhancement of their original storage capacity and that such augmentation could be achieved without any increase in the present Full Reservoir Level (FRL).
It further said inflows received at Pong and Bhakra during 2023 were higher than those received during 1988 and were historically even higher during 2025. However, despite the importance of desilting as a flood-mitigation and reservoir-capacity-enhancement measure, “no desilting works have ever been undertaken” by BBMB at either Bhakra or Pong dams.
Punjab said that during periods of heavy inflows, constrained storage due to siltation necessitates higher releases, thereby aggravating flood situations in downstream areas of the state. “BBMB needs to carry out a detailed exercise to desilt the dams,” the state said, adding that if de-siltation was carried out, the capacity of the dams would automatically increase without increasing the present FRLs.
The state has also sought greater control over the operation and maintenance of the two dams. It submitted that both Pong Dam on Beas and Bhakra Dam on Sutlej are under the exclusive control, supervision and operational authority of BBMB. Punjab said it had, on repeated occasions, requested that the maintenance and operational control of the dams be entrusted to Govt of Punjab. “The necessity of such an arrangement has become particularly evident during the floods witnessed in the year 2025,” it said.
Punjab said that whenever it faced emergent situations of riverbank erosion or flood threat , it was compelled to approach BBMB for regulation of dam outflows. According to the state, the process involves a prolonged and cumbersome procedure, beginning with the issuance of notice for a Technical Committee Meeting and consultation with all partner states, including Haryana and Rajasthan.
The affidavit said these states “do not face any downstream flood risk whatsoever” and often exhibit a tendency to maintain reservoir levels at or near the Full Reservoir Level, thereby exposing Punjab to an enhanced risk of flooding. “Any decision regarding regulation or release of water from these dams has a direct and immediate bearing on the flood scenario in State of Punjab,” it said.
In view of this, Punjab submitted that it must have an enhanced and effective role in the decision-making processes of BBMB, particularly with respect to reservoir operations during flood situations, to safeguard life, property and agricultural interests in downstream areas.
The state further said that until control and maintenance of the dams are formally entrusted to Punjab, Punjab cadre officers should be deputed to Regulation Wing of BBMB with adequate authority to regulate dam operations during critical situations.
“The said measure is essential to enable the State of Punjab to respond effectively and promptly to flood-related emergencies and safeguard life, property infrastructure,” the affidavit said. Punjab urged NGT to issue necessary directions to BBMB.
In the affidavit submitted by Krishan Kumar, principal secretary, department of water resources, Punjab, in a petition over recurring floods in Punjab filed by Public Action Committee (PAC) and others, the state said Sutlej and Beas carry major flood water which affects the livelihood of residents in all three regions of Punjab, namely Majha, Malwa and Doaba.
The dams were constructed by Govt of India with state shares over these rivers, with Pong Dam on Beas and Bhakra Dam on Sutlej. The operation, maintenance and supervision of these dams are under the control of BBMB. The state submitted that the floodwaters of rivers Sutlej and Beas flow exclusively into Punjab and the entire downstream flood impact is borne solely by State of Punjab.
The state said Punjab suffered severe flood damage in 1988, 2019 and again during 2023 and 2025, when levels reached near 1,680 ft at Bhakra Dam and crossed 1,390 ft at Pong Dam, creating an imminent risk of overtopping. “The reduced Full Reservoir Level (FRL) acted as a critical safety buffer, and any relaxation thereof would have resulted in catastrophic flooding in Punjab,” it said.
Punjab further submitted that it had raised observations on the new rule curve submitted by Central Water Commission (CWC), as it had some flaws, and the rule curves had not yet been formally approved by BBMB. “The downstream carrying capacity of the rivers was not considered while preparing these rule curves; hence, these rule curves need to be revised,” the state submitted. The state also flagged the progressive reduction in the effective storage capacity of Bhakra and Pong dams owing to severe siltation.
“It is a well-established technical fact that continuous inflow of sediment from the upstream catchment areas has resulted in substantial accumulation of silt in both reservoirs, thereby diminishing their live storage capacity year after year,” Punjab said. It submitted that de-siltation of the reservoirs would result in restoration and enhancement of their original storage capacity and that such augmentation could be achieved without any increase in the present Full Reservoir Level (FRL).
It further said inflows received at Pong and Bhakra during 2023 were higher than those received during 1988 and were historically even higher during 2025. However, despite the importance of desilting as a flood-mitigation and reservoir-capacity-enhancement measure, “no desilting works have ever been undertaken” by BBMB at either Bhakra or Pong dams.
Punjab said that during periods of heavy inflows, constrained storage due to siltation necessitates higher releases, thereby aggravating flood situations in downstream areas of the state. “BBMB needs to carry out a detailed exercise to desilt the dams,” the state said, adding that if de-siltation was carried out, the capacity of the dams would automatically increase without increasing the present FRLs.
The state has also sought greater control over the operation and maintenance of the two dams. It submitted that both Pong Dam on Beas and Bhakra Dam on Sutlej are under the exclusive control, supervision and operational authority of BBMB. Punjab said it had, on repeated occasions, requested that the maintenance and operational control of the dams be entrusted to Govt of Punjab. “The necessity of such an arrangement has become particularly evident during the floods witnessed in the year 2025,” it said.
Punjab said that whenever it faced emergent situations of riverbank erosion or flood threat , it was compelled to approach BBMB for regulation of dam outflows. According to the state, the process involves a prolonged and cumbersome procedure, beginning with the issuance of notice for a Technical Committee Meeting and consultation with all partner states, including Haryana and Rajasthan.
The affidavit said these states “do not face any downstream flood risk whatsoever” and often exhibit a tendency to maintain reservoir levels at or near the Full Reservoir Level, thereby exposing Punjab to an enhanced risk of flooding. “Any decision regarding regulation or release of water from these dams has a direct and immediate bearing on the flood scenario in State of Punjab,” it said.
In view of this, Punjab submitted that it must have an enhanced and effective role in the decision-making processes of BBMB, particularly with respect to reservoir operations during flood situations, to safeguard life, property and agricultural interests in downstream areas.
The state further said that until control and maintenance of the dams are formally entrusted to Punjab, Punjab cadre officers should be deputed to Regulation Wing of BBMB with adequate authority to regulate dam operations during critical situations.
“The said measure is essential to enable the State of Punjab to respond effectively and promptly to flood-related emergencies and safeguard life, property infrastructure,” the affidavit said. Punjab urged NGT to issue necessary directions to BBMB.
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