**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response to Starred Question No. *9 in Lok Sabha, answered on January 29, 2026, regarding the desilting and capacity augmentation of dams in Rajkot, Gujarat. It details the desilting works undertaken, funds sanctioned, and the role of both the Union and State Governments in ensuring water security. The responsibility rests primarily on the State Governments and Central/State Public Sector Undertakings.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Dam Management Responsibility:**
* The primary responsibility for dam operation, maintenance, safety audits, desilting, and sediment management lies with the dam owners, primarily State Governments and Central/State Public Sector Undertakings.
* **Rajkot Water Supply Dams:**
* Water supply to Rajkot district is sourced from seven dams: Aji-1, Bhadar-1, Bhadar-2, Phophal-1, Moj, Venu-2, and Veri.
* **Desilting Works:**
* Partial desilting works have been carried out at Veri, Moj and Venu-2 dams to improve water storage capacity and sustainable supply.
* Details of partial desilting works:
* Veri: Funds Sanctioned - Rs. 4.85 Lakhs; Excavation - 2853.3 cubic meters; Time Period - May 2025.
* Moj: Funds Sanctioned - Rs. 5.15 Lakhs; Excavation - 2700 cubic meters; Time Period - 2021-2023.
* Venu-2: Funds Sanctioned - Rs. 5.50 Lakhs; Excavation - 2750 cubic meters; Time Period - 2021-2023.
* **Dam Inspections and Compliance:**
* Regular periodic inspections of these dams are being conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
* **Sediment Management Guidelines:**
* The Central Government has published guidelines to assist State Governments in sediment management:
* "Assessing and Managing Reservoir Sedimentation" (2019 and 2020)
* "Operational Procedures for Assessing and Managing Environmental Impacts in Existing Dam Projects" (2019 and 2020)
* National Framework on Sediment Management (October 2022)
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Gujarat**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the operation, maintenance, safety, and desilting of the dams.
* **Action Required:** Continue with desilting efforts, ensure compliance with Dam Safety Act, and utilize available sediment management guidelines.
**Rajkot District Residents/Industries**
* **Impact:** Affected by the water storage capacity and sustainable water supply provided by the dams.
* **Action Required:** No direct action, but benefits from increased water security due to desilting efforts.
**Central Government**
* **Impact:** Provides guidelines and support for sediment management.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and provide guidance to the State Government of Gujarat on sediment management.
**Dam Owners**
* **Impact:** Primarily responsible for dam maintenance, operation, and safety.
* **Action Required:** Maintain focus on dam operation, maintenance, and safety audits; continue desilting efforts and ensure compliance with the Dam Safety Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for addressing water-related issues, including desilting of dams.
Dam Safety Act, 2021: Legislation mandating regular inspections of dams, which the State Government of Gujarat is complying with.
Gujarat: The State Government involved in the desilting of Aaji Dam and other dams supplying water to Rajkot district.
Rajkot: The district which is the area of focus for dam desilting efforts to improve water supply.
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.
1STATEMENT 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 Time Period
(in cubic metre)
Veri 4.85 2853.3 May 2025
Moj 5.15 2700 2021-2023
Venu-2 5.50 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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