In a major development, the Central government has approved a long-pending plan to remove silt from Gobind Sagar Lake, located behind the iconic Bhakra Dam in Punjab. This marks the first desilting initiative in 71 years.
The Jal Shakti Ministry has constituted a 10-member expert committee that includes BBMB Chief Engineer C.P. Singh. Singh stated that silt levels in Gobind Sagar Lake have been monitored continuously for the past two years, revealing that nearly 25 percent of the reservoir is now filled with silt. If desilting is not undertaken soon, the lake’s storage capacity may decline further.
BBMB had already prepared an NIT for the desilting project, but the tender could not be issued due to the absence of a desilting policy in Himachal Pradesh. Singh confirmed that discussions with the Himachal government were held, and the state has assured that a formal desilting policy will be approved in the upcoming Assembly session. Only then can the tender be floated.
Singh emphasized that this is not just a BBMB issue but a national challenge. Removing the silt will benefit Punjab, Himachal, and the entire country.
