Lok Sabha Question No. 872 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Desilting of Dams in Bundelkhand Region
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 872

ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025

## DESILTING OF DAMS IN BUNDELKHAND REGION

872.   SHRI ANURAG SHARMA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that farmers frequently face acute water scarcity due to erratic rainfall in the Bundelkhand region including Jhansi and Lalitpur districts and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether it is also a fact that several major and minor dams in this region have accumulated 40% to 60% silt thereby significantly reducing their water storage capacity and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to initiate desilting and restoration works for these dams to enhance their holding capacity and improve agricultural benefits and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the details of the current storage capacity of key dams in the region, including Sirsagar (363.93 MCM), Shahzad (321.00 MCM), Matatila (641-742 MCM), Sukhnai (52.00 MCM), Saprar (76.00 MCM), etc.; and (e) the steps being taken by the Government to restore the full capacity of these dams and ensure sustainable irrigation support to farmers in the region?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) The  average  annual  water  availability  of  any  region  or  country  is  largely  dependent  upon  hydrometeorological  and  geological  factors.  Due  to  high  temporal  and  spatial  variation  of  precipitation  in  a region, the  water availability may result in water stress  conditions. As per the data available, against the normative rainfall of 817 mm per year, the average actual rainfall in districts Jhansi and Lalitpur has been 669 mm (82%) and 810 mm (99%) in last 7 years.

(b) to (e) Dam owners, which are mostly the State Government, generally conduct the capacity survey of their dams at regular intervals for evaluating their lifespan and ensuring optimal reservoir operations. As per the information provided by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Central Water Commission, the reported  loss  in  gross  storage  capacity  of  the  Matatila  Dam,  Rajghat  Dam,  Saprar  Dam  (all  three  dams located in Uttar Pradesh) and Pagara dam (Madhya Pradesh), which have been surveyed, is 31.14%, 6.25%, 8.50% & 17.88% respectively due to siltation. The current storage capacity of the Matatila Dam, Rajghat Dam, Saprar Dam and Pagara dam located in Bundelkhand region is 678.71 Million Cubic Metre (MCM),

2036.34 MCM, 69.66 MCM and 98.87 MCM against their original capacity of 985.65 MCM, 2172 MCM, 76.20 MCM and 120.4 MCM.

Water/irrigation  being  a  state  subject,  planning,  execution  and  operation  and  maintenance  of irrigation projects including repairing and strengthening of dams, embankments and canals are carried out by the State Governments from their own resources and as per their own requirements and priority of works. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Government of India provides technical and financial assistance to state governments to encourage sustainable development and efficient management of water resources through various schemes/programmes such as Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-II&III), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) etc.

*****