Chandigarh, August 6: Punjab’s Water Resources Minister, Barinder Kumar Goyal, dismissed concerns regarding the structural safety of the Bhakra Dam during a session in the Assembly on Thursday. He reassured the public that the dam is completely safe and there is no need for alarm.
Speaking during the ‘Zero Hour’, the cabinet minister stated that misleading reports have unnecessarily instilled fear among the populace. He clarified that minor movements in the dam are an integral part of its engineering design.
Goyal referenced media claims suggesting that the Bhakra Dam had tilted, stating that such erroneous reports have caused unwarranted anxiety among the people of Punjab. He emphasized that the dam is one of the world’s engineering marvels, recognized globally for its robust design and engineering standards, with expert teams from countries like the USA and Canada acknowledging its strength.
The minister explained that the dam is designed to experience slight movements when water pressure increases, returning to its original position when the pressure decreases. He noted that the reported movement of 1.03 inches falls within the engineering design standards. Between 1995 and 2025, such movements were recorded 15 times, and each time, the structure returned to its normal state without any safety concerns.
Goyal reiterated that the recent movement observed in 2025 is part of the dam’s normal structural behavior and does not indicate any weakness or threat. He again assured that the dam is entirely safe.
Addressing concerns related to silt accumulation, the minister clarified that the accumulated silt is located approximately 12 kilometers upstream from the dam wall and does not affect its structural stability.
He acknowledged that about 26 percent of silt accumulation has reduced the reservoir’s storage capacity but insisted that it does not impact the dam’s safety. Goyal stated that the responsibility for silt removal lies with the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the central government.
He mentioned that Punjab has consistently raised the issue of silt removal in BBMB meetings. The state government has recently written to the BBMB and the central government, urging them to expedite the silt removal process, as it is their responsibility.
The minister concluded that removing the silt will restore the reservoir’s storage capacity and improve water availability.
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