Centre constitutes panel for Bhakra desilting project

The process to de-silt the Bhakra Dam reservoir, which lies on the Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh (HP), has gathered pace with the Jal Shakti Ministry forming a 10-member committee for the project and the state government reportedly granting in-principle approval.

Under the proposed plan, proceeds from the mineral-rich silt will be shared among HP, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and other member states as per a fixed formula. Himachal is expected to receive the largest share because the dam and its reservoir lie within the state. BBMB officials said the reservoir’s storage capacity has already fallen by about 25% since the dam was built. Each year, an estimated 38-39 million cubic metre (MCM) silt enters the reservoir, higher than the 33-34 MCM projected at the time of impoundment in 1958.

Experts warn if silt inflow continues unchecked, the reservoir capacity could fall by 35-40% by 2050.