Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal

Why in news?

• Recently, the Haryana Vidhan Sabha has passed a resolution seeking completion of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal.

About Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal:

• Satluj Yamuna Link Canal is an under-construction 214-kilometer long canal connecting the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers.
• The canal, once completed, will enable sharing of the waters of the rivers Ravi and Beas between the states of Haryana and Punjab.

What is the controversy?

• The issue dates back to 1966 at the time of reorganisation of Punjab and formation of Haryana was formed.
• Punjab was opposed to sharing the waters of the two rivers with Haryana, citing riparian principles.
• However, Centre, in 1976, issued a notification allocating to Haryana 3.5 million acre feet (MAF) out of undivided Punjab’s 7.2 MAF.
• In a reassessment in 1981, the water flowing down Beas and Ravi was estimated at 17.17 MAF, of which 4.22 MAF was allocated to Punjab, 3.5 MAF to Haryana, and 8.6 MAF to Rajasthan.
• The Eradi Tribunal was set up to reassess availability and sharing of water. The Tribunal, in 1987, recommended an increase in the shares of Punjab and Haryana to 5 MAF and 3.83 MAF, respectively.

About the river Sutlej:

• It is the longest of the five tributaries of the Indus River.
  • Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Beas are other main tributaries of Indus.
• The Satluj rises from the Manasarovar-Rakas Lakes in western Tibet.
• Like the Indus, it takes a north-westerly course upto the Shipki La on the Tibet-Himachal Pradesh boundary.
• It cuts deep gorges where it pierces the Great Himalaya and the other Himalayan ranges.
• Before entering the Punjab plain, it cuts a gorge in Naina Devi Dhar, where the famous Bhakra dam has been constructed.
• After entering the plain at Rupnagar (Ropar), it turns westwards and is joined by the Beas at Harike.
• From near Ferozepur to Fazilka it forms the boundary between India and Pakistan for nearly 120 km.
• During its onward journey it receives the collective drainage of the Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers. It joins the Indus a few kilometres above Mithankot.
• Out of its total length of 1,450 km, it flows for 1,050 km in Indian Territory.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following Indian states are major beneficiaries of Sutlej - Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal?

(a) Himachal Pradesh and Punjab

(b) Haryana and Punjab

(c) Rajasthan and Haryana

(d) Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

Answer