The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has initiated discussions with an Australian company to explore deep-dredging operations at the Bhakra Dam reservoir, which has lost nearly 25 percent of its storage capacity due to silt and debris inflow.

BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi confirmed that the firm will visit the site next week to assess whether dredging can be undertaken without lowering water levels, a critical requirement since no Indian company currently provides such advanced services. The gradual accumulation of silt has significantly reduced the dam’s capacity, affecting water storage for irrigation, power generation, and flood control.

Authorities are weighing alternatives, including dry excavation when water levels naturally recede or are deliberately reduced. The challenge lies in balancing technical feasibility with environmental and operational concerns.

Constructed in the 1960s, the Bhakra Dam is vital for northern India’s water and energy security, catering to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The BBMB’s collaboration with international expertise is seen as a step toward safeguarding the reservoir’s role in agriculture and power supply for millions.