Lok Sabha Question No. 957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Desiltation and Sediment Management Proposal  prepared by  BBMB
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.957 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## DESILTATION AND SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL PREPARED BY BBMB

957.   SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the desiltation and sediment management proposal prepared by the  Bhakra  Beas  Management  Board  (BBMB)  to  State  Government  of  Himachal Pradesh, along with its objectives, estimated cost, timelines and reservoirs covered;
- (b) the date on which the said desiltation/dredging proposal was forwarded to the State Government of Himachal Pradesh for consultation or approval and whether any reminders or follow-up communications have since been issued and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the proposed plan for utilisation, disposal or commercial use of the desilted material,  including  sand,  silt  and  other  sediments  and  whether  any  revenue  or ecological benefits are envisaged and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  BBMB  proposes  to  engage  any  foreign  agencies,  international collaborations, or advanced technical know-how for execution of the project in a costeffective, environmentally sustainable and time-bound manner and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a):  Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has prepared a proposal for desilting of Bhakra  Reservoir  at  Luhnoo  Ground  in  District  Bilaspur,  Himachal  Pradesh.  The proposal  aims  to  address  sediment  accumulation  and  loss  of  reservoir  capacity, promote sustainable reservoir management, and explore the beneficial utilisation of desilted material. The project covers the reach from Mandi Bharari Bridge to Luhnoo Ground, which has been identified as suitable for desiltation due to ease of access and favourable sediment  characteristics. The  proposal  envisages  desilting  up  to  a depth of 2 metres during the available 8-9 months period in a year, when the reservoir water  level  recedes  and  the  area  becomes  exposed.  The  proposal  is  based  on  a revenue model with no financial outgo for BBMB.

(b):  The desiltation proposal was forwarded by BBMB to the Government of Himachal Pradesh  on  29.10.2025  for  approval.  On  23.12.2025,  the  Government  of  Himachal Pradesh  informed  BBMB  that  Rule  33  of  the  Himachal  Pradesh  Minor  Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules,  2015  permits  desilting  of  reservoirs  and  lifting/  transportation  of  minerals generated after payment of royalty. Further, the Government of Himachal Pradesh on 31.12.2025  intimated  BBMB  the  royalty,  cess  and  taxes  for  the  minerals  to  be extracted during desilting of Bhakra Reservoir. Thereafter, BBMB on 02.01.2026 has published an Expression of Interest (EOI) for extraction and auction of the silt. (c):      The  desilted  material,  comprising  sand,  silt,  and  clay,  is  proposed  to  be commercially utilised by the successful bidder. Any unusable material will be disposed of at designated disposal sites in compliance with environmental norms. Under this revenue model, the successful bidder will pay applicable royalty, cess, and taxes to the State Government, thereby, generating revenue besides yielding benefits through improved reservoir capacity and sustainable sediment management. (d):   BBMB is receiving financial support under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III, a flagship project of Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, being implemented with funding and technical support from the World Bank. The  project  aims  for  sedimentation  management,  formulation  of  sediment  control strategies, treatment of sediment-generation hotspots and landslide-prone vulnerable reaches  around  the  Bhakra  and  Pong  reservoir  areas  and  restoration  of  their  live storage capacity.

*****************