The Haryana government's decision to draw water from the Barwala branch of the Bhakra canal to supply Hansi town has triggered widespread protests, with farmers in Hisar and Bhiwani districts warning of severe water shortages. The agitation, which began in Chanot village in Hansi district, has escalated into a broader conflict over water allocation between the Bhakra and Yamuna command areas.
Bhakra vs Yamuna Command Areas: The Divide
Haryana's irrigation network is divided into eight command areas, with the Bhakra command covering Sirsa, Fatehabad, Kaithal, the Narwana subdivision of Jind, and parts of Hisar, including Hisar town, Barwala, Adampur, and Agroha. The Western Jamuna Command (WJC) supplies water to Karnal, Panipat, Sonepat, Rohtak, Jhajjar, Safidon, and parts of Jind, along with the Hansi-I area of Hisar and parts of Bhiwani. The Barwala branch, which originates from the Khanori head of the Bhakra, is a critical artery for the Bhakra command area.
The Trigger: Pipeline for Hansi Town
The controversy erupted after the Haryana government began laying a 100-mm pipeline to draw Bhakra waters from the Rajli head on the Barwala branch to supply drinking water to Hansi town under the AMRUT scheme. The pipeline is expected to carry between 8 and 20 cusecs of water, depending on pressure. According to officials, the water is approved only for drinking purposes, not irrigation. However, residents of Chanot village have demanded a T-joint in the pipeline to also serve their rural area, which the administration has rejected under AMRUT.02 guidelines.
Farmers' Fears: Already Water-Scarce Region
Farmers from Balsamand and nearby villages argue that the Barwala branch is the sole water source for nearly 100 villages in Hisar and Bhiwani districts, including Adampur, Balsamand, Barwala, and adjoining areas. These villages lie at the tail end of the branch and already face acute water scarcity. "The water supply circle has reduced to one week for every 21 days," said a local farmer. Any further diversion, they warn, would leave them high and dry. The region has issued an ultimatum to launch an agitation if Bhakra waters are diverted to Yamuna command areas.
Capacity Constraints of Barwala Branch
The Barwala branch has an approved capacity of 1,727 cusecs, but officials and experts agree its actual capacity is about 1,500 cusecs. The actual flow fluctuates between 1,250 and 1,400 cusecs, already below the approved level. Water is also diverted from this branch to other minors and distributaries, including the Dhamtan distributary in Jind district and the Siwani feeder in Hisar district. The new pipeline for Hansi town adds to these existing diversions, further straining the system.
Official Stance and Next Steps
Irrigation Department officials maintain that the water for Hansi town was approved by the competent authority and is solely for drinking purposes. They argue that the pipeline's capacity is minimal compared to the overall flow. However, farmers remain unconvinced, pointing to past diversions that have reduced their water supply. The state government now faces the challenge of balancing urban drinking water needs with the demands of an already stressed irrigation network.
