Lok Sabha Question No. 4517 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Structural Deflection in Bhakra Dam
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4517 ANSWERED ON 19.03.2026

## STRUCTURAL DEFLECTION IN BHAKRA DAM

4517.  SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  it  is  true  that  Bhakra  Dam  has  recorded  a  maximum  structural deflection of 1.17770 inches this year compared to the original static loading limit of 1.03 inches and subsequent reading of 1.04 inches demostrates partial recovery toward the design envelope, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether  Bhakra  Beas  Management  Board  (BBMB)  has  confirmed  that  the deflection  has  exceeded  the  original  permissible  level  and  corrective  measures initiated and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether BBMB proposes to engage international experts through the National Dam Safety Authority to examine increased deflection and if so, the timeline and terms of reference along with the details of communication with Ministry of Jal Shakti in this regard;

(d) whether  controlled  drawdown  is  planned  for  the  coming  summer  targeting between 1,490 and 1,510 feet and if so, the rationale behind it;

(e) whether desiltation operations would also take place during drawdown and if so, details thereof; and

(f) the present status of real-time monitoring of deflection, seepage and stress at the Bhakra Dam?

A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) & (b) : As  intimated  by  Bhakra  Beas  Management  Board  (BBMB),  Bhakra  Dam recorded a maximum deflection of 1.1770 inches on 19.11.2025, whereas the design limiting  value  for  deflection  under  non-seismic  conditions  is  1.03  inches,  as  per  the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) trial load study, 1964. As on 10.03.2026, the deflection of dam is about 0.9623 inches.

The following corrective measures have been initiated by BBMB:

(i) BBMB  has  entered  into  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU)  with  the International Centre for Excellence in Dams (ICED), IIT Roorkee to address issues related to BBMB dams, including the deflection of Bhakra Dam.

……..2.

- (ii) Building consensus among partner States for drawdown of the Bhakra reservoir close to the Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) of 1462 feet before the arrival of upcoming monsoon.

(c) :  As of now, BBMB does not propose to engage international experts through the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).

(d) :  A controlled drawdown of the Bhakra Dam reservoir has been planned by BBMB in the coming summer. The proposal to lower the reservoir level up to the Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) of 1462 feet has been deliberated in various Technical Committee Meetings  (TCMs)  since  the  monsoon  of  2025  to  build  consensus  among  the  partner states.  By  lowering  the  reservoir  level  to  MDDL,  it  would  ensure  completion  of  Full Reservoir Level (FRL) - Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) cycle and restoration of the structural elasticity of the dam.

(e) : Desiltation operations would also be undertaken during the reservoir drawdown period. The initiation and continuation of desiltation activities at a particular site depend on the reservoir reaching specific water levels during the drawdown phase.

(f) : Periodic  monitoring  of  deflection,  stress  and  strain  is  being  done  through instruments installed at the time of construction of the Bhakra Dam. Seepage is tracked and  managed  through  drainage  and  grouting  galleries/drain  holes  in  the  dam  body, foundation  and  abutments.  As  on  10.03.2026,  the  values  of  deflection,  seepage  and stress are within permissible limits.

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