Lok Sabha Question No. 9 (STARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Desilting and Capacity Augmentation of Dams in Rajkot
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *9

ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026

## DESILTING AND CAPACITY AUGMENTATION OF DAMS IN RAJKOT

## *9. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government in coordination with the State Government of Gujarat has undertaken or proposes to undertake systematic desilting of Aaji Dam and other dams supplying water to Rajkot district to enhance storage capacity, water security and industrial sustainability of the Saurashtra region and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the desilting works carried out, funds sanctioned, timelines fixed and the increase in storage capacity achieved or targeted; and

(c)  whether  the  Union  Government  proposes  to  undertake  joint  inspection  of  these  dams  with  the  State authorities for scientific assessment, future planning, sediment management and longterm water security for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI C R PAATIL)

(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. *9 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026 IN LOK SABHA REGARDING 'DESILTING AND CAPACITY AUGMENTATION OF DAMS IN RAJKOT'

Responsibility for dam operation, maintenance, safety audit and critical aspects such as desilting and sediment management rests primarily with the dam owners, who are predominantly the State Governments and Central/State Public Sector Undertakings.

As  per  the  information  provided  by  the  State  Government  of  Gujarat,  water  supply  to  the  Rajkot district is sourced from seven dams, namely: Aji-1, Bhadar-1, Bhadar-2, Phophal-1, Moj, Venu-2 and Veri.

Furthermore, the State Government has informed that partial desilting works have been carried out at three of these dams namely Veri, Moj and Venu-2 with the objective of improving water storage capacity and ensuring sustainable supply.

The details of the partial desilting works carried out at these dams are given in the following table:

| Name of Dam   |   Funds Sanctioned (in Rs. Lakhs) |   Excavation (in cubic metre) | Time Period   |
|---------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------|---------------|
| Veri          |                              4.85 |                        2853.3 | May 2025      |
| Moj           |                              5.15 |                        2700   | 2021-2023     |
| Venu-2        |                              5.5  |                        2750   | 2021-2023     |

The State Government of Gujarat has further informed that regular periodic inspections of these dams are being conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

Further, in order to assist State Government in the matters related to sediment management, guidelines on  'Assessing  and  Managing  Reservoir  Sedimentation'  and  'Operational  Procedures  for  Assessing  and Managing Environmental Impacts in Existing Dam Projects' was published by the Central Government in 2019  and  2020  respectively. In  addition  to  the  above,  the  Central  Government  published  a  National Framework on Sediment Management in October 2022 to assist States and dam owners in addressing issues related to sediment management.

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