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The article highlights a perplexing paradox: the state of Punjab, India, grapples with a severe water crisis while simultaneously allowing a significant portion of its river water to flow unused into neighboring Pakistan. This situation, underscored by Prime Minister Modi's 2017 pledge to redirect India's share of the Indus river water to Punjab, reveals a complex interplay of infrastructural limitations, water-sharing agreements, and unsustainable agricultural practices that are pushing the region towards a precarious future. The crux of the issue lies in India's inability to effectively store and utilize the water from the Eastern Rivers (Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi), over which it has unrestricted rights according to the Indus Water Treaty. While during drier periods, states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan fiercely compete for these water resources, the monsoon season brings an abundance that overwhelms the existing infrastructure, leading to excess water being released into Pakistan – a situation often criticized by the latter. This lack of storage capacity not only deprives Punjab of a valuable resource but also exacerbates its dependence on rapidly depleting groundwater reserves.
Punjab's water crisis is deeply intertwined with its agricultural practices, particularly the cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice. The state's annual water demand is a staggering 66.12 billion cubic meters (BCM), with agriculture accounting for the lion's share at 62.58 BCM. However, the total available water amounts to only 52.85 BCM, resulting in a substantial deficit of 13.27 BCM. This shortfall is primarily addressed through the over-exploitation of groundwater, which currently meets approximately 47% of Punjab's water needs. The consequences of this unsustainable practice are dire, as aquifer mapping studies have revealed an alarming rate of groundwater depletion across the state. While rainfall and canal water contribute to the overall water supply, they are insufficient to bridge the gap between demand and availability. Punjab's allocated share of water from its three perennial rivers is 17.95 BCM, a figure that falls short of its actual requirements, further incentivizing the unsustainable extraction of groundwater. The failure to utilize the available water efficiently, especially during the monsoon season, underscores the critical need for improved water management strategies and infrastructure development.
The article points to a significant volume of water from the Ravi River flowing unused into Pakistan annually. While Punjab utilizes approximately 14.80 BCM of the 42.6 BCM available in its rivers, the remainder is diverted to Rajasthan, Haryana, and ultimately, Pakistan. Data from the Central Water Commission (CWC) reveals that during the monsoon season, substantial quantities of water are released from major dams on the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi. For instance, in 2019, between April and June, approximately 2,060 million cubic meters (MCM) of water were released, with only 30-40% being utilized within Punjab for irrigation. This situation highlights a missed opportunity to augment Punjab's water supply and alleviate the pressure on its groundwater resources. The state government's argument that releasing excess water is necessary to prevent flooding is valid to a certain extent, but it also underscores the lack of adequate storage and management infrastructure to harness this resource effectively. The article emphasizes the urgent need for improved canalization, the construction of mini-dams, and the implementation of embankments (Dhussi bandhs) to control surplus flows and redirect water for irrigation and groundwater recharge.
Several factors contribute to Punjab's inability to effectively utilize and store its river water. The article notes that only the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers have dams, while smaller rivers and rivulets, which are prone to flooding, require better management strategies. Canalization, which involves directing river water into specific channels using mini-dams or embankments, has not been effectively implemented, hindering the ability to control surplus flows and divert water for beneficial uses. Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced plans to canalize Punjab's rivers in 2019, but progress has been slow. Furthermore, there is a pressing need to remodel Punjab's canal system to manage excess water from the Beas River and its tributaries, such as the Ujh. Such measures would not only enhance irrigation capabilities but also facilitate the recharge of the rapidly depleting groundwater table. The encroachment of floodplains further complicates water management efforts, exacerbating the risk of flooding and hindering the efficient utilization of water resources.
Beyond the agricultural sector, Punjab's major cities, including Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Amritsar, are facing severe water shortages, particularly during the summer months. The article cites a proposed project to bring Beas water to Jalandhar, at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore, but the project is yet to materialize, highlighting the challenges associated with implementing large-scale water infrastructure projects. An expert from the Punjab Water Resources Department aptly summarizes the situation, stating that the water crisis in Punjab is not solely a matter of scarcity but also one of mismanagement and a lack of adequate infrastructure. The state finds itself entangled in complex water-sharing disputes with neighboring states and Pakistan, while simultaneously confronting the looming threat of desertification. The expert emphasizes the urgent need for substantial investments in water management, storage, and infrastructure, as well as efforts to decrease the area under paddy cultivation, to avert a further deepening of Punjab's water crisis. The article paints a grim picture of a state struggling to reconcile its water needs with its available resources, highlighting the importance of proactive and sustainable water management strategies to ensure the long-term prosperity and environmental health of the region.
Source: Why river water from parched Punjab is flowing unused into Pakistan