Supreme Court ends decade-old water dispute between 3 riparian states

Supreme Court entitles Himachal Pradesh to 11,973 million units of electricity over the next 20 years from Punjab and Haryana.

Post Published By: Rishira Jain

Updated : 6 November 2026, 12:33 PM IST

Supreme Court entitles Himachal Pradesh to 11,973 million units of electricity over the next 20 years from Punjab and Haryana. (Img: X)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday gave a landmark verdict, bringing to an end the decades-old inter-State electricity dispute between Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

The Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana accepted the cashless settlement framework between the three states, ruling that Himachal Pradesh would receive 11,973 million units of electricity over the next 20 years from Punjab and Haryana.

The Apex Court further observed that Himachal Pradesh was entitled to 7.19% power from the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas projects.

Attorney General R Venkataramani apprised the Bench that the Central Electricity Authority had calculated the original entitlement at 13,066 million units. An adjustment of Rs 420 crore towards historical capital costs incurred in constructing the dams has been factored into the settlement.

While Punjab sought implementation for 30 years, the Counsel appearing for HP pressed for over 10 years and the AG proposed 15 years, the Supreme Court settled for a 20-year period.