Pong, Maili, Chohal & Thana Dams losing storage: MP

Raising an urgent alarm in the Lok Sabha, Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari highlighted the dangerous levels of siltation choking major reservoirs in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, warning that key dams in Hoshiarpur district such as Pong, Maili, Chohal and Thana are rapidly losing their vital storage capacity.

Responding to Tewari’s query, the Ministry of Jal Shakti confirmed massive storage losses across the region. Bhakra Dam has lost 2,568 MCM of capacity, while the Beas reservoir has lost 1,190 MCM. In Punjab, Maili and other medium dams have seen sharp declines in storage, while active desilting is currently underway at Chohal and Thana under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Despite its critical importance, no desilting has yet begun at the Pong reservoir.

Tewari cautioned that unchecked siltation threatens irrigation, drinking water supply and long-term water security for millions. He urged the Centre to accelerate desilting efforts, strengthen coordination with states and ensure robust implementation of DRIP to protect North India’s most crucial water infrastructure.