Ludhiana: In a move hailed by transparency advocates and citizen groups, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has resumed publishing water-related data of the Bhakra and Pong dams on its official website, restoring public access to information considered crucial for flood monitoring and disaster preparedness.
The decision comes after sustained concerns over the unavailability of key data, including reservoir water levels, inflows and outflows, which experts say are essential for assessing flood risks across Punjab and neighbouring states. The return of the information is being viewed as a significant step towards improving transparency and public accountability in dam management.
Concerns regarding the lack of access to dam-related information had intensified following the devastating floods of 2023, when questions were raised about water release decisions and reservoir management. Similar issues resurfaced during the 2025 flood season, as critical operational data remained inaccessible to the public, media organisations and disaster management stakeholders.
Experts have consistently maintained that timely dissemination of dam data enables local administrations, emergency agencies, journalists and residents to make informed decisions and prepare for potential flood situations. Greater transparency, they argue, can help minimise damage to life and property during periods of heavy rainfall and extreme weather events.
The matter also reached the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2025 after the Public Action Committee challenged the withholding of water-related information and highlighted concerns regarding dam operations. The restoration of the data is being seen as the result of continued public advocacy and legal efforts aimed at ensuring accountability in water management.
Citizens and activists have welcomed the development and expressed hope that BBMB will continue to publish the information regularly, allowing communities to remain informed about changing water conditions and strengthening preparedness for future flood-related emergencies.
The move has been widely regarded as a positive step towards open governance, reaffirming the importance of public access to information in matters directly linked to safety, environmental management and disaster response.
