Punjab Rejects CISF for BBMB, Raising Water-Sharing Tensions

Punjab’s sudden reversal on funding the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects has sparked a major row with Haryana and Rajasthan. The state, which initially agreed to the CISF deployment to replace state police, now refuses to contribute to the construction of CISF housing.

This decision, announced on July 12, 2025, comes amid heightened tensions over inter-state water sharing. Haryana and Rajasthan, in contrast, continue to support the CISF’s presence at the crucial BBMB projects.

The move is seen as a significant escalation of the ongoing water disputes. Punjab’s opposition to funding the CISF directly impacts the security arrangements at these vital projects.

The lack of funding stalls crucial infrastructure development, leaving the security of these strategically important projects in limbo. This situation highlights the complex political dynamics and the urgent need for a resolution to the long-standing water-sharing disagreements between the three states. The potential for further escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability and cooperation.