CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana can expect higher water releases and additional power generation from Bhakra project as water level in Gobind sagar  is quite comfortable as compared to last year.

The water level in Gobind Sagar is is 1613.76 feet which is more than 119 feet higher as compared to last year level of 1494.86 feet. The same is also true about Ranjit Sagar dam where water level is 1698.5 feet which is 52 feet higher than last year’s level of 1636.2 feet.

According to official sources BBMB has asked the partner states to utilize increased water being released in the canals and on its own part it has stepped up generation. The paddy season in the states normally starts  around June 10 after which  the power demand picks up.

As per daily report of NRLDC , the inflow in Bhakra is 19874 cusecs and usage is 23357 cusecs. At Ranjit sagar inflow is 8830 cusecs and usage is 15009 cusecs.

This year weather  officials  has made   slightly deficient monsoon prediction and late start of monsoon by few days. Padamjit Singh retired PSEB chief engineers said that    enough cushion should be maintained while utilizing the water for irrigation and power purposes  to fill the reservoir level to the maximum .It is expected to make an onset over Kerala on June 6, five days after its normal onset date.

The power demand in Punjab and Haryana is around 1500 lakh units(LU) per day. Punjab is getting 417 LU from thermal plants at Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo. Haryana is getting 395 LU from thermal plants at Yamuna Nagar. khedar and CLP Jhajjar. Bhakra is generating  around 207 LU per day.