In a recent announcement, the Government of India has disclosed significant efforts to ensure the safety and integrity of aging dams across the nation. According to the data compiled by the National Dam Safety Authority, there are 234 large dams in India that are more than a century old, raising concerns about their structural soundness and safety standards.
Responsibility for the safety, operation, and maintenance of these dams primarily lies with the respective dam owners, predominantly state governments and Central/State Public Sector Units. As part of routine procedures, dam owners conduct periodic pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections. Moreover, many states have established Dam Safety Review Panels to conduct comprehensive audits of these critical infrastructure assets.
During the fiscal year 2023-24, dam-owning agencies reported conducting pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections for approximately 6414 and 4150 dams, respectively, in compliance with the Dam Safety Act 2021.
To address concerns and ensure the longevity of these aging structures, the Government of India has been implementing the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), aimed at enhancing safety and operational performance. The Phase-I of DRIP, completed in March 2021, involved the review and rehabilitation of 198 dam projects across seven states.
Following the success of Phase-I, the government has initiated Phase-II & III of DRIP, which involves the comprehensive auditing and rehabilitation of about 736 dams with financial support from international bodies like the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. Under this scheme, the Dam Safety Review Panels have already completed inspections and reviews for approximately 408 dams.
The enactment of the Dam Safety Act 2021, effective from December 30, 2021, provides a comprehensive framework for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all large dams in the country, aimed at preventing dam failure-related disasters. Section 38 of the Act mandates a thorough dam safety evaluation for each specified dam.
It's important to note that while aging dams pose concerns, proper maintenance and timely repairs can ensure their continued safe operation. The Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu, emphasized this point in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
* News provided by Mukulesh Debnath
