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NHPC Plans Accelerated Desilting at Salal Dam to Restore Reservoir Capacity

New Delhi: In the backdrop of the Indus Waters Treaty being kept in abeyance, state-run NHPC is preparing to fast-track desilting measures at the strategically significant Salal Dam in Jammu & Kashmir. The move is aimed at reclaiming lost reservoir capacity, enabling greater water storage and improving the operational efficiency of the associated hydropower station.

The 690 MW Salal hydropower project, located on the Chenab River in Reasi district, has witnessed substantial sediment accumulation over the years. Excessive silt deposition has sharply reduced the reservoir’s storage capacity—from its original 284 million cubic metres (MCM) to nearly 14 MCM in recent years. Apart from limiting water retention, sedimentation also leads to abrasive wear and tear of turbine components, affecting plant performance.

According to officials familiar with the development, NHPC has initiated a comprehensive study to determine the most effective sediment management strategy. Three primary methods are under evaluation: flushing, dredging, and installation of under-sluice systems. While dredging activities are already being undertaken on a limited scale, identifying viable end-use markets for the extracted silt remains a key challenge.

The company is also in the process of tendering for an under-sluice mechanism, which is designed to channel out accumulated sediment from the reservoir. However, timelines for implementation have yet to be finalised. Core drilling exercises have commenced to assess the physical characteristics of the silt—whether compacted or loose—which will influence the final course of action.

Constructed in phases during 1987 and 1994, the Salal Dam and its power facilities play an important role in the region’s energy landscape. The proposed desilting push is expected to enhance storage capacity, stabilise turbine operations, and strengthen overall generation efficiency.