Punjab government raises Rs 227 crore loss over Dehar Power House, Beas-Sutlej Link mismanagement, demands audit and accountability from BBMB.

The Punjab Government has expressed concerns regarding what it characterizes as systemic mismanagement of the Beas–Satluj Link (BSL) Project and the 990 MW capacity Dehar Power House by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

The Punjab government has claimed that partner states have suffered significant financial losses amounting to Rs 227 crore due to decreased electricity generation, and that there is a potential risk to water security for these states stemming from operational deficiencies and insufficient maintenance of the BSL project.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of BBMB and the Union Ministry of Power, the Principal Secretary of Water Resources, Punjab, has called for an independent, time-bound audit of the BSL Project and Dehar Power House operations commencing from the 2023 filling season.

The copy of the letter, which was obtained by The Tribune, alleges a pattern of technical failures, sediment buildup, equipment shortages, and questionable administrative decisions that have collectively resulted in losses amounting to hundreds of crores.

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The Chairman of BBMB, Manoj Tripathi, upon contact, described the purported generational losses claimed by the Punjab government as purely nominal. He stated that the Dehar power project was suspended from November 18 to December 3 following a decision made by the technical committee of the board, which included the Chief Engineer-level officer of Punjab.

The BBMB responded to the concerns expressed by the Principal Secretary, Water Resources, Punjab, he stated. According to official correspondence, the Balancing Reservoir at Sundernagar, which is essential for flow regulation and sustaining power generation at Dehar Power House, has experienced significant silt accumulation due to insufficient dredging over the past two years.

This has significantly compromised the reservoir’s storage capacity and hindered the efficient diversion of water into the Sutlej. This mismanagement purportedly compelled the BSL system to function below its optimal capacity during critical months, resulting in cascading effects across multiple hydropower assets, according to Punjab’s allegations.

During the period from May to September 2025, the Punjab Government reported that three of the six generating units at Dehar Power House remained non-operational, significantly diminishing the daily power generation capacity. Punjab has reported a generation loss of Rs 227 crore during this period, while peak losses alone surpassed Rs 233 crore.

The Punjab government has claimed that the decreased diversion of Beas water into the Beas-Sutlej Link (BSL) system resulted in Pong Dam water levels exceeding anticipated averages, reaching 1376 ft, which is 30 ft above the seasonal levels. Punjab has asserted that this imbalance would threaten water availability for all partner states and undermine irrigation and potable water supplies. Punjab has claimed that it is incurring a daily loss of Rs 26.52 lakh, whereas the combined estimated daily loss to partner states exceeds Rs 1.8 crore.

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The Principal Secretary of Water Resources, Punjab, has alleged that BBMB is appointing Punjab officers to critical positions only after failures have occurred, in an effort to “shift responsibility.”

Punjab has formally requested a detailed loss-assessment report, the identification of officials accountable for lapses in maintenance, dredging, and generation operations, enforcement of stringent disciplinary measures in accordance with service rules, and the inclusion of this matter in the agenda for the upcoming BBMB Board meeting.

Regarding insufficient dredging in the balancing reservoir of the Dehar power plant, the Chairman of BBMB stated that silt accumulation in the Beas River has increased this monsoon as a result of floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh. We have issued tenders for the removal of silt from the Balancing Reservoir of the Dehar project, and the operation will commence shortly.

Regarding the states experiencing water shortages caused by inadequate maintenance of the Dehar project, the Chairman stated that sufficient water reserves are available in both Pong and Bhakra dams to fulfill the requirements of the partner states.