Chandigarh, Feb 11: The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has initiated a plan to conduct a comprehensive geological assessment of the hills surrounding the iconic Bhakra Dam. To facilitate this study, the Board is finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to analyze slope stability and mitigate landslide risks during the monsoon.
Officials noted that the move follows significant disruptions last year when torrential rains triggered multiple slope failures. These incidents led to the blockage of road and railway links between Nangal and the dam, causing debris to enter the power house complex. While operations remained stable, the management mentioned that a proactive approach is now necessary to ensure the long-term safety of the infrastructure.
“The BBMB management is in the process of signing an MoU with Geological Survey of India to conduct a comprehensive study of the slopes,” a source mentioned. Authorities noted that while original reinforcements were installed during the dam’s construction in the 1950s and 60s, nearly 70 years of weathering and intense climate variability have necessitated a modern reassessment.
The upcoming survey will evaluate rock strength, fault lines, and drainage patterns across the fragile Shivalik and Lesser Himalayan ranges. BBMB officials mentioned that the study is a preventive measure rather than a response to any immediate structural threat. Based on the GSI’s expert recommendations, the Board may implement advanced stabilization techniques such as rock bolting and bio-engineering to protect the site, which generates over 1,300 MW of power for northern India.
