(Feature Image: 2019 image of Bhakra dam. Source: Punjab Kesari)

One aspect that stands out not so obviously in the ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Haryana is the poor track record of BBMB in achieving operational safety of BBMB projects during floods, particularly in recent years, but also starting from way back in 1970s. That is why it sounds strange when in early May, BBMB is talking about need for water releases to safeguard the Bhakra dam’s structural integrity, when the dam is at its lowest level in the season. We see no such urgency or public statements by BBMB during the monsoons last few years when not only IMD had forecast heavy rainfall in the catchment, but also there was no action by BBMB even when catchments had already received heavy rainfall.

Continue reading “DRP 120525: BBMB’s poor track record on Operational Dam Safety” →