State’s share in BBMB power houses on the decline

DP Correspondent
Chandigarh

The share of Punjab in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) power houses has been reduced by 2.7 per cent in Bhakra, 8.2 per cent each in Dehra and Pong dams. This follows a directive from the Supreme Court revising the power distribution formula in the response to a petition filed by Himachal Pradesh to restore its original share in the inter-state irrigation project.

After this, Punjab’s share in all the three dams has come down to 51.8 per cent from 54.5 per cent of Bhakra and 60 per cent each of Dehra and Pong dams. Haryana’s share in Bhakra dam has remained the same at 37.51 per cent, but its share has reduced in the case of Dehra and Pong dams from 40 per cent share each to 37.51 per cent. The share of Himachal Pradesh in Bhakra has increased from 2.5 per cent to 7.19 per cent and has remained the same at 7.19 per cent in Dehra and Pong.

BBMB Chairman AB Agrawal told reporters that water level at Bhakra Dam is in comfortable position and BBMB is supplying water to its partner states according to requirement.

Todays’ water level of Bhakra and Pong reservoirs are 1549.4 feet and 1322.72 feet respectively. Agrawal said during 2011-12, BBMB generated 12,491 million units (MUs) against the target of 10,023 MUs which is 25 per cent more and informed that this year also the same target has been fixed.