Punjab, Haryana CMs hold cordial talks on SYL canal dispute

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini met here on Tuesday to discuss the long-standing Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute . The meeting, described as cordial and positive , lasted over an hour, with both leaders agreeing that officials from their states will hold further meetings to resolve the issue.

The SYL canal , planned to share waters from the Ravi and Beas rivers , is 214 km long— 122 km in Punjab and 92 km in Haryana . Haryana has completed its section, while Punjab halted construction in 1982, citing insufficient water for sharing .

The dispute has been in the courts for decades. In 1996 , Haryana filed a case demanding completion of the canal, and in 2002 , the Supreme Court ruled in its favor, directing Punjab to construct its portion. Punjab has argued that it has no surplus water to share, while Haryana insists on receiving its legally entitled share.

Punjab has also proposed alternative solutions, including a Yamuna-Sutlej Link (YSL) canal , to supply water from other rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, calling the SYL canal an emotive issue .

Following Supreme Court directions, previous meetings of the two CMs were convened by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil . Tuesday’s meeting was a step toward renewed dialogue, with unresolved issues to be taken up in subsequent official discussions.

Mann said, “ Haryana is not our enemy; it is our brother, ” while Saini emphasized that constructive discussions can yield fruitful results . The SYL canal dispute continues to be a sensitive matter, highlighting challenges in inter-state water sharing in India.