The long-standing Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute has once again taken center stage, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declaring that the project “won’t be a reality” because the state simply does not have enough water to share. His statement adds fuel to a decades-old debate between Punjab and Haryana over water-sharing rights.
During his recent address, Mann emphasized that Punjab’s groundwater levels have dropped to alarming levels, making it impossible to divert water to Haryana. “There is no water to share. How can we give something we don’t have?” he said. The Chief Minister also reiterated that the top priority should be preserving Punjab’s water resources for its own farmers and future generations.
A Battle That Has Stretched Over Decades
The SYL canal issue dates back to 1966 when Haryana was carved out of Punjab. As part of the division, a plan was proposed to build the canal to share the waters of the Ravi and Beas rivers between the two states. While Haryana has consistently pushed for its completion, Punjab has strongly resisted, arguing that its water resources have diminished significantly since the initial agreement.
Several Supreme Court verdicts have ruled in favor of Haryana, ordering Punjab to complete the canal. However, successive governments in Punjab have opposed its construction, citing environmental concerns and water scarcity. The issue has also been a major political flashpoint, with parties in both states using it as a key election agenda.
Haryana’s Stand and the Road Ahead
Haryana has long maintained that it has a legal right to its share of water and has urged the central government to intervene. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has repeatedly stressed that Punjab must abide by the Supreme Court’s orders and ensure the canal’s completion.
Despite multiple rounds of negotiations and court directives, a resolution remains elusive. With Punjab standing firm on its stance and Haryana demanding justice, the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal continues to be a contentious issue with no clear end in sight.
As water scarcity becomes an increasing concern, the debate over the SYL canal is likely to intensify. The big question remains: Will political will and legal intervention bring a solution, or will this dispute continue to drag on for years to come?
