Overview
- The Union Jal Shakti Ministry has constituted a 10-member committee to supervise the desilting effort following the Himachal Pradesh government’s initial approval.
- BBMB plans a one-year pilot at Bilaspur, selected for 8–9 months of low water and proximity to NHAI corridors that would ease excavation and transport.
- Authorities plan to seek use of the excavated material in road embankments and earth-filling to cut construction costs along national highways.
- The revenue plan grants Himachal standard mining royalties and the largest share of proceeds, with BBMB retaining additional revenue from silt and sand sales.
- Official data show Bhakra has lost 2,568 MCM—about 25–26%—of storage, annual silt inflow now averages 38–39 MCM against a 33.61 MCM design, and BBMB has not yet begun desilting, with a DRIP-backed pilot planned and a separate Rs 6,500-crore, 1,500 MW pumped-storage proposal at Dobar under PPP.