De-silting Progress Reviewed for Dams in North Indian States
Although water management is a state responsibility, the Centre supplements these efforts through schemes such as the Repair, Renovation and Restoration of water bodies and the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Under DRIP Phase-II & III, de-silting is permitted for selected dams where proposals meet techno-economic norms. Punjab and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) are active participants, whereas Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are not part of the ongoing phase.
Punjab has reported de-silting work underway at four Kandi-region dams—Chohal, Siswan, Saleran and Thana—funded from state resources. Proposals for forest clearance to take up work on nine additional dams have been submitted to the Centre. BBMB has yet to begin de-silting in the Bhakra or Pong reservoirs but is considering a pilot de-silting exercise for the Bhakra reservoir under a revenue-generation model within DRIP.
In Himachal Pradesh, dam-owning agencies continue to remove silt primarily through periodic flushing operations during the monsoon, as guided by their O&M manuals. Rehabilitation work also continues under DRIP, with Punjab allocated Rs 4.42 billion for 12 dams and BBMB allocated Rs 2.30 billion for two dams, following their formal induction into the scheme in October 2025.
Updated siltation levels for key reservoirs—based on 2024 studies by the Central Water Commission and data from the states—have been compiled in the annexure. Responsibility for the safety, operation and maintenance of dams remains with the owning agencies, supported by the Dam Safety Act of 2021, which sets out a nationwide inspection and monitoring framework.
The Central Water Commission continues to track weekly live storage in 166 major reservoirs, including three in Himachal Pradesh and one in Punjab, through the Reservoir Storage Monitoring System. This information aids states in planning for irrigation, drinking water supply, flood control and drought readiness.