**Summary:**
This document summarizes information provided in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1979, answered on July 31, 2025, regarding water release from the Maithon and Panchet Dams and related issues concerning the Damodar River.
The response details the water released from the Maithon and Panchet Dams during the months of June to August for the past five years (2020-2024). Key data points include the individual and combined outflow, measured in thousands of acre-feet, for each dam during each month.
| Year | Month | Maithon Outflow (Thousand Acre Feet) | Panchet Outflow (Thousand Acre Feet) | Combined Outflow (Thousand Acre Feet) |
|------|---------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 2020 | June | 231 | 236 | 467 |
| 2020 | July | 413 | 428 | 841 |
| 2020 | August | 441 | 713 | 1154 |
| 2021 | June | 452 | 680 | 1132 |
| 2021 | July | 389 | 651 | 1040 |
| 2021 | August | 741 | 1309 | 2050 |
| 2022 | June | 19 | 75 | 94 |
| 2022 | July | 12 | 89 | 101 |
| 2022 | August | 1 | 330 | 331 |
| 2023 | June | 6 | 39 | 45 |
| 2023 | July | 38 | 70 | 108 |
| 2023 | August | 14 | 94 | 108 |
| 2024 | June | 62 | 69 | 131 |
| 2024 | July | 91 | 146 | 237 |
| 2024 | August | 664 | 1708 | 2372 |
The response also indicates that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has not carried out any dredging work in the Damodar River to date.
The Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), responsible for regulating water release from the Maithon and Panchet dams, comprises members from the Central Water Commission, DVC, the Government of West Bengal, and the Government of Jharkhand. Water release decisions are made after consultation with all stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Damodar River: A river in eastern India, flowing through the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Maithon Dam: A dam located on the Barakar River in Jharkhand, India, part of the Damodar Valley Corporation.
Panchet Dam: A dam located on the Damodar River in Jharkhand, India, also part of the Damodar Valley Corporation.
Damodar Valley Corporation: A corporation responsible for the management and development of the Damodar River basin.
Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee: A committee responsible for regulating water release from reservoirs in the Damodar Valley, comprising members from Central Water Commission, DVC, and the governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Government of West Bengal: The state government of West Bengal, India, a stakeholder in the Damodar Valley project.
Government of Jharkhand: The state government of Jharkhand, India, a stakeholder in the Damodar Valley project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1979
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
WATER RELEASED FROM DAMS
1979. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the details about water released from Maithon and Panchet Dams during the months of June to
August during the last five years;
(b) the date on which the last dredging was carried out in Damodar River;
(c) whether any representative is there in the Damodar Valley River Board and if so, the details thereof;
and
(d) if not, the manner in which the said board communicates with the State Government of West
Bengal?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) The details about water released from Maithon and Panchet Dams during the months of June to
August in the last five years are given at Annexure.
(b) Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has not carried out any dredging work in Damodar River, so
far.
(c) & (d) The Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC) comprises of members
from Central Water Commission, DVC, Government of West Bengal and Government of Jharkhand.
DVRRC releases water from Maithon and Panchet dams after due consultation with all stakeholders
viz. DVC, Government of West Bengal and Government of Jharkhand
***
1ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.
1979 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2025 REGARDING “WATER
RELEASED FROM DAMS”.
Water released from Maithon and Panchet Dams during the months of June to August in the last
five years
Year Month Maithon outflow Panchet outflow Combined (Maithon +
(Thousand Acre feet) (Thousand Acre feet) Panchet) outflow in (Thousand
Acre feet)
June 231 236 467
2020 July 413 428 841
August 441 713 1154
June 452 680 1132
2021 July 389 651 1040
August 741 1309 2050
June 19 75 94
2022 July 12 89 101
August 1 330 331
June 6 39 45
2023 July 38 70 108
August 14 94 108
June 62 69 131
2024 July 91 146 237
August 664 1708 2372
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