Summary
In a continuing matter on recurrent flooding from the Ghaggar river affecting 25 villages in Punjab and Haryana, the Court had earlier directed the Central Water Commission to find a solution, and a mathematical model study was commissioned from CWPRS, Pune. The Central Water Commission reported that the final model study report had been forwarded to both States in September 2021. The Ghaggar Standing Committee had then concluded that the recommended short-term measures were the optimal solution for the States to adopt. These involve widening the river at feasible reaches and building embankments to limit the rise in water level. The Court directed Punjab and Haryana to implement the recommendations in a time-bound manner. It also required four-weekly stakeholder meetings and quarterly reports through the Committee and the Central Water Commission to the Court.
Issues
- What directions should issue to resolve the long-standing flooding of the Ghaggar basin affecting 25 villages, after the final mathematical model study report and its consideration by the Ghaggar Standing Committee.
Held
- The final model study report by CWPRS, Pune was forwarded to both States in September 2021 and considered by the Ghaggar Standing Committee. The Committee concluded that the short-term measures were the optimal solution: widening the river at feasible reaches and building embankments to limit the water-level rise on both banks. (¶¶ 2, 3)
- Punjab and Haryana must act in a time-bound manner on the final report's recommendations and take all suggested corrective measures, so that the long-unresolved flooding of the 25 villages is resolved. (¶ 4)
- To monitor implementation, stakeholders are to meet every four weeks. The Ghaggar Standing Committee is to report every three months to the Central Water Commission, which in turn is to report to the Court. (¶ 4)
Result
Directions issued to the States of Punjab and Haryana to implement the recommendations, with periodic meetings and quarterly reports; the matter was listed for further hearing on 09.11.2022.