- The Punjab river water dispute involves historical sharing of Ravi, Beas, and Yamuna waters between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. - The construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal has been a major bone of contention, with Punjab refusing to complete its construction citing water scarcity. - Article 262 of the Constitution provides for the adjudication of inter-state water disputes by Parliament through law, leading to mechanisms like water disputes tribunals. - Federal tensions often arise over river water sharing due to competing agrarian needs, declining groundwater tables, and political considerations in states. **Introduction** An analysis of the Punjab river water dispute, highlighting the complexities of sharing Ravi, Beas, and Yamuna waters among Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, the long-standing Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal impasse, and the constitutional and legal frameworks governing inter-state water disputes in India. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - The Punjab river water dispute involves historical sharing of Ravi, Beas, and Yamuna waters between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. - The construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal has been a major bone of contention, with Punjab refusing to complete its construction citing water scarcity. - Article 262 of the Constitution provides for the adjudication of inter-state water disputes by Parliament through law, leading to mechanisms like water disputes tribunals. - Federal tensions often arise over river water sharing due to competing agrarian needs, declining groundwater tables, and political considerations in states.