Parliament Question: Desiltation and Sediment Management Proposal prepared by BBMB

**Executive Summary** This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 957 regarding the desiltation and sediment management proposal prepared by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for the State Government of Himachal Pradesh. The proposal was forwarded to the Government of Himachal Pradesh on 29.10.2025 for approval, with BBMB publishing an Expression of Interest (EOI) on 02.01.2026 for extraction and auction of the silt. The proposal is based on a revenue model with no financial outgo for BBMB. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Desiltation Proposal Details** * BBMB has prepared a proposal for desilting the Bhakra Reservoir at Luhnoo Ground, District Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. * The proposal aims to address sediment accumulation, promote sustainable reservoir management, and explore beneficial utilisation of desilted material. * The project covers the reach from Mandi Bharari Bridge to Luhnoo Ground. * Desilting is planned up to 2 metres during the 8-9 month period when the reservoir water level recedes. * The proposal is based on a revenue model with no financial outgo for BBMB. * **Proposal Approval and Follow-up** * The desiltation proposal was forwarded to the Government of Himachal Pradesh on 29.10.2025 for approval. * On 23.12.2025, Himachal Pradesh informed BBMB that Rule 33 of the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals Rules, 2015 permits desilting and lifting/transportation of minerals after royalty payment. * On 31.12.2025 Himachal Pradesh intimated BBMB regarding the royalty, cess, and taxes for minerals extracted during desilting. * BBMB published an Expression of Interest (EOI) for extraction and auction of the silt on 02.01.2026. * **Utilisation of Desilted Material** * The desilted material (sand, silt, and clay) is proposed to be commercially utilised by the successful bidder. * Unusable material will be disposed of at designated sites in compliance with environmental norms. * The successful bidder will pay royalty, cess, and taxes to the State Government, generating revenue and improving reservoir capacity. * **International Collaboration and Funding** * BBMB is receiving financial support under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III. * This project is being implemented with funding and technical support from the World Bank. * The project aims at sedimentation management, sediment control strategies, and restoration of live storage capacity around the Bhakra and Pong reservoir areas. **Impact Analysis** **Himachal Pradesh Government** * **Impact:** Receives the desiltation proposal for approval and is responsible for setting royalty, cess and tax rates. Receives revenue from the successful bidder's operations and sees improvements in reservoir capacity. * **Action Required:** Review and approve the desiltation proposal, continue to collect royalty, cess, and taxes from the successful bidder. **Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)** * **Impact:** Responsible for executing the desiltation project, improving reservoir capacity, and facilitating the extraction and auction of silt. Obtains funding support from the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) * **Action Required:** Oversee the desiltation process, manage the EOI process, and coordinate with the Himachal Pradesh Government and the successful bidder. **Successful Bidder** * **Impact:** Obtains the right to commercially utilise the desilted material in the Bhakra Reservoir. Required to pay applicable royalty, cess, and taxes to the State Government. * **Action Required:** Extract and commercially utilise the desilted material, dispose of unusable material according to environmental norms, and pay all applicable taxes and royalties.

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