Kerala Mulls Massive River, Dam Desilting; ₹5,000-Crore Sand Deposits Identified
Government estimates indicate that river sand alone is worth over ₹3,000 crore, while sand in dams is valued at ₹2,000 crore, reports C S Siddharthan.
Published : August 5, 2026 at 5:55 PM IST
Thiruvananthapuram: In a major initiative aimed at reducing flood risks, increasing water storage capacity and generating revenue, the Kerala government has initiated steps to remove sand and silt accumulated in rivers and dams since the devastating floods of 2018.
According to official estimates, the deposits are valued at over ₹5,000 crore. The Water Resources and Revenue departments have been directed to coordinate the exercise, while a fresh sand audit of rivers, backwaters and reservoirs will be carried out to assess current deposits.
A 2022 sand audit covering 36 rivers across 11 districts identified significant sand deposits in 17 rivers, with Bharatapuzha, Chaliyar — the fourth-longest river covering Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode; Kadalundi in Kozhikode district and Periyar — the longest river in Kerala, stretching 244 kilometres — accounting for the largest volumes.
Of the 464 lakh cubic metres of sand identified, experts recommended environmentally sustainable extraction of 141 lakh cubic metres to reduce flood risks and improve river flow.
Government estimates indicate that river sand alone is worth over ₹3,000 crore, while sand accumulated in dams is valued at more than ₹2,000 crore. However, no comprehensive statewide sand audit has been conducted after 2022.
Among the major deposits are Bharatapuzha — the second-longest river in Kerala covering Palakkad, Thrissur, and Malappuram districts — with around 75 lakh metric tonnes, Mangalam Dam in Palakkad with about 50 lakh cubic metres, and Aruvikkara in Thiruvananthapuram with nearly 20 lakh cubic metres.
Other reservoirs, including Chulliyar, Malampuzha both in Palakkad and Chimmini in Thrissur, also contain substantial deposits.
Storage Capacity Hit By Siltation
According to Central Water Commission (CWC) data, decades of silt accumulation have significantly reduced reservoir capacities. Malampuzha Dam in Palakkad has lost around 20 million cubic metres of storage over 55 years, while Idamalayar Dam in Ernakulam has lost about 18 million cubic metres over 33 years. Officials estimate that desilting could increase the state's reservoir storage capacity by around 15%, creating space for an additional 900 million cubic metres of water — equivalent to the capacity of nearly five medium-sized reservoirs.
The government proposes earmarking 20% of the revenue generated through sand sales for dam maintenance. Current recommendations limit excavation to a maximum depth of three metres in audited river stretches.
Legal Hurdles Delayed Mining
Earlier attempts to resume regulated river sand mining were delayed after the Mining and Geology Department pointed out that the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules did not provide for issuing Letters of Intent for river sand extraction. Draft amendments were prepared but did not progress further. Several district survey reports, including those for Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Kannur, had already received environmental clearance before the process stalled.
Previous Drive Fell Short
Following the 2018 and 2019 floods, the government targeted removal of 3.01 crore cubic metres of sand from 43 rivers. However, only 98.35 lakh cubic metres — around one-third of the target — was removed.
Of the extracted quantity, 7.48 lakh cubic metres was earmarked for auction, while auctions of 1.57 lakh cubic metres conducted during 2022 and 2023 generated Rs 3.96 crore. Large quantities of sand remain stored at various locations.
Minister Assures Faster Progress
Mons Joseph, Kerala Minister for Water Resources, Irrigation and Housing, told ETV Bharat on Wednesday that the government was expediting the river sand extraction process in coordination with the Revenue Department. Chief engineers have been tasked with collecting updated data and monitoring implementation. The minister added that external assistance, including support from the World Bank, would be considered if required for future phases, while dam safety inspections have been directed to be completed before December 31.
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