Archive · 25 Jan 2026
Punjab, Haryana to Discuss SYL Canal
The leaders of Punjab and Haryana are going to talk about a big water problem they have.
There's a canal called the SYL canal that was supposed to share water from the Ravi and Beas rivers between the two states.
Haryana has built its part, but Punjab hasn't.
The Supreme Court has told Punjab to build its part, but Punjab says it doesn't have extra water to share.
Haryana says it's not getting the water it should.
Punjab has suggested a different canal called the YSL canal instead.
They are going to meet on January 27 to try and solve this problem.
Meanwhile, the World Bank has approved a lot of money to help Haryana fix its canals and manage water better.
This will help farmers and make sure there's enough water for everyone.
Punjab and Haryana Chief Ministers to discuss the SYL canal issue on January 27 in Chandigarh.
SYL canal was conceptualized for sharing water from Ravi and Beas rivers, with 122 km in Punjab and 92 km in Haryana.
Haryana has completed its part, but Punjab has not, leading to a long-standing dispute.
Supreme Court ruled in favor of Haryana in 2002, directing Punjab to construct its portion of the canal.
Punjab proposes a Yamuna Sutlej Link (YSL) canal instead, citing the Sutlej river's dried-up state.
World Bank approves ₹5,700 crore assistance for ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ project to make Haryana self-reliant in water.
Project aims to restore 1,570 canals, implement micro-irrigation systems, and address waterlogging issues.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini
- What
- Discussion on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue and World Bank assistance for ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ project
- When
- January 27 (meeting), 2026-2032 (project duration)
- Where
- Chandigarh (meeting), Haryana (project)
- Why
- To resolve the long-standing water-sharing dispute and improve water management in Haryana
Punjab's Stance
Haryana's Stance
Canal Construction
Punjab's Stance
Punjab has not constructed its portion of the SYL canal, citing no surplus water and demanding its legitimate share of Indus waters.
Haryana's Stance
Haryana has completed its part and demands its share of river waters due to the non-construction of the SYL canal by Punjab.
Alternative Proposals
Punjab's Stance
Punjab proposes the Yamuna Sutlej Link (YSL) canal instead of the SYL canal.
Haryana's Stance
Haryana insists on the completion of the SYL canal as per the Supreme Court's directive.
- States Involved
- Punjab and Haryana
- Meeting Date
- January 27
- Canal Length
- 214 km (122 km in Punjab, 92 km in Haryana)
- Supreme Court Ruling
- Directed Punjab to construct its portion of the SYL canal
- Punjab's Stance
- No surplus water, demands legitimate share of Indus waters
- Haryana's Stance
- Demands its share of river waters due to non-construction of SYL canal
- Punjab's Proposal
- Yamuna Sutlej Link (YSL) canal instead of SYL canal
- Union Minister Involved
- Shri C R Patil (Jal Shakti)
- World Bank Assistance
- ₹5,700 crore for ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ project
- Project Duration
- 2026 to 2032
- Canals to be Restored
- 1,570 canals (892 restored, 678 proposed)
- Micro-Irrigation Systems
- 70,000 acres of agricultural land
- Water Bodies Construction
- 80 water bodies in southern Haryana
- Sewage Treatment Plants
- Four major plants in Jind, Kaithal, and Gurugram
- Irrigation Land Expansion
- 2 lakh acres of additional land
