More water to be released from Bhakra Dam

More water would be released from Bhakra and Pong dams after the level in their reservoirs increased in the last few days, an official said Tuesday much to the relief of Punjab and Haryana paddy farmers.

A spokesman of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), that manages these dams, said the water release was being restored to 28,000 cusecs from Bhakra Dam while from Pong Dam it will be 7,000 cusecs.

Water release from both dams is considered vital for paddy plantation in the states of Punjab and Haryana. The power generation from BBMB power plants would also increase to 36 million from the present 33 million daily.

The BBMB had June 25 decided to reduce release of water from these two dams to 22,000 cusecs and 6,000 cusecs respectively following concerns over lower water level in both reservoirs due to lack of rain over the region in June this year.

BBMB joint director V.P. Sharma said the water release situation would be reviewed on a day-to-day basis to decide how much water is to be released from these dams.

Officials said that the water level in Gobind Sagar reservoir of the Bhakra dam had increased from a low of 1,506 feet by 15 feet in the last five days to 1,521 feet. They added that inflow of snow-melted and rain water had increased in both dams.

The BBMB had reduced the water release from Pong Dam, over 210 km from here, to 5,000 cusecs daily but owing to serious drinking and irrigation water shortage in Rajasthan, the release was increased to 6,000 cusecs.

The 225-metre Bhakra Dam, located 130 km from here, was termed as "the temple of modern, resurgent India" by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Last updated on Jun 30^th, 2009 at 17:58 pm IST--IANS