In a major security upgrade, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will replace the police forces of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh at Bhakra and Nangal dams. Sources confirmed that at least 300 CISF personnel will be deployed to guard both dams, which are 35 kilometres apart. While Bhakra Dam is currently under Punjab Police protection, Nangal Dam is secured by Himachal Pradesh Police. This will be the fourth project in the state taken over by the CISF.
The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, a concrete gravity dam on the Satluj River, is a key hydroelectric and irrigation project forming the Gobind Sagar reservoir. The decision to deploy the CISF comes after security assessments by central agencies, which recommended that a single specialised force would be better suited to protect such critical infrastructure.
Sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has given the green signal, with CISF deployment expected from April onwards. The move follows concerns over various threat perceptions and security protocols, leading the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to hand over security to the CISF. Last year, the force also took over the protection of the Beas-Sutlej Link from Himachal Pradesh Police.
Intelligence agencies have flagged security threats to the Bhakra Dam over the years, particularly regarding the risk of sabotage. While experts believe the dam structure itself is highly resilient, any attack on peripheral infrastructure, powerhouses, or transmission systems could have serious consequences.
Former Punjab DGP Shashikant welcomed the decision, stressing the strategic importance of the dams. “Local police were guarding both vital installations. If there was a security threat and something untoward happened, the water flow could be affected, spreading across regions and even toward Pakistan. This move is a step in the right direction,” he said.
