High-level meeting underway as long-pending inter-state water-sharing issue returns to focus ahead of Supreme Court hearing
An important meeting between the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Haryana is currently underway at a hotel here to discuss the long-pending SYL canal dispute, a contentious inter-state issue involving the sharing of river waters between the two neighbouring states. Senior officials from both state governments are also present, indicating the seriousness of the discussions.
The SYL canal dispute has been a major point of friction between Punjab and Haryana for several decades. The canal was conceived to facilitate equitable distribution of water, but the project has remained incomplete. While Haryana completed the construction of its portion of the canal, work in Punjab was halted after it began in 1982, leaving the project in limbo.
In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Haryana and directed the Punjab government to complete its share of the canal. However, Punjab has consistently maintained that it does not have surplus water to share with any other state, citing increasing demand, declining water levels and agricultural needs within its own territory. Haryana, on the other hand, continues to assert its legal right to receive water as per earlier agreements and court orders.
Over the years, several rounds of talks have been held between the two states, with the Centre stepping in multiple times as a mediator to break the deadlock. Despite these efforts, the issue remains unresolved, periodically resurfacing and triggering political and public debate in both states.
With the Supreme Court having fixed April as the next date of hearing in the matter, the current meeting is being closely watched. Any breakthrough could have significant implications not only for Punjab and Haryana but also for the broader framework of inter-state water sharing in the country.
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