Kerala to restart river desilting by December-end or early January, Revenue Minister tells the Assembly
14 October 2026
Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar told the Assembly that desilting of rivers would restart by December-end or early January, with 182 quays identified, to be operated by local bodies; clearances from the Industries and Environment Departments are still pending.
Irrigation Minister Mons Joseph said desilting had stopped in the State by 2017.
He cited a Kerala Engineering Research Institute study showing the carrying capacity of 15 Irrigation Department dams had fallen by an average of 13.82%.
Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan raised flooding around Vembanad Lake, which cannot drain the five rivers that flow into it.
The Chief Minister assured a time-bound project to protect the Vembanad region, affecting Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and parts of Ernakulam.
In plain words
KERI Kerala Engineering Research Institute — The Irrigation Department's research institute at Peechi, Thrissur.
Desilting Desilting — Removing sand and silt from river beds and reservoirs to restore their capacity.