The Public Action Committee, a pro-environment organisation, has urged the Punjab government to put the surplus Bhakra water to productive use. The Bhakra reservoir is currently holding water more than 21 feet higher than it was at this time last year. The Bhakra Beas Management Board recently urged partner states to draw more water before the monsoon.
Risk of Emergency Releases
The committee warned that the surplus should not be allowed to remain in the reservoir, risking emergency releases during the monsoon—as seen in 2023 and again on an even larger scale in 2025.
Proposal for Groundwater Recharge
The committee suggested using suitable canals and drains for groundwater recharge. "June offers the best opportunity for recharge because the water table is at its deepest and many channels are relatively dry," the committee said, adding surplus water should be routed through the existing canal and drainage network to replenish depleted aquifers.
