Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
Decades of neglect have left three major reservoirs in Udham Singh Nagar district—Haripura, Baur, and Tumaria—choked with silt, drastically reducing their water storage capacities and jeopardizing both irrigation and flood management in the region.
Constructed between 1967 and 1975, these reservoirs were designed to support agriculture across Uttarakhand and parts of western Uttar Pradesh. However, over the past five decades, the accumulation of silt has significantly diminished their effectiveness. A 2023 survey by the Central Water Commission revealed that Haripura Reservoir has lost approximately 42% of its storage capacity due to siltation, while Tumaria and Baur reservoirs have seen reductions of 30% and 20%, respectively.
The primary obstacle to desilting these reservoirs is the prohibitive royalty rate of ₹232.50 per cubic meter imposed on silt removal. This high cost has deterred construction firms and contractors from undertaking desilting operations. In contrast, neighboring Uttar Pradesh imposes no royalty on soil extraction, making silt removal economically viable there.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Uttarakhand Irrigation Department has proposed a significant reduction in the royalty rate, aiming to bring it down to Rs 38.55 per cubic meter. This proposal includes reducing the transportation fee from Rs 106.20 to Rs 26.55 and eliminating other charges such as maintenance, stamp duty, and compensation fees. The department has submitted this proposal to the state government for approval.
“Due to high royalty rates imposed by the forest department, construction agencies are unwilling to remove silt. It’s imperative to remove silt from all three reservoirs. We’re talking to higher authorities to resolve the issue at the earliest,” said Pramod Kumar Dixit, Superintending Engineer of the Uttarakhand Irrigation Department.
The silt accumulation not only hampers irrigation efforts but also increases the risk of flooding during the monsoon season. With the reservoirs’ capacities significantly reduced, their ability to manage excess rainfall is compromised, posing a threat to downstream communities.
As the monsoon approaches, the urgency to address the siltation issue intensifies. The proposed reduction in royalty rates is seen as a crucial step toward enabling desilting operations, restoring the reservoirs’ capacities, and safeguarding the region’s agricultural and flood management systems.
