As per the National Register of Large (Specified) Dams, 2023 compiled by the National Dam Safety Authority based on the data provided by the various dam owners, there are 6138 completed and operational specified dams and 143 are under construction stage. Further, there are 3789 numbers of specified dams, which are more than 25 years old. State-wise list of operational and under construction dams is given at Annexure. However, here it is important to mention that aging of dams is not detrimental to its overall health, provided it is maintained properly and timely repairs are carried out in the structure ensuring its structural intactness, safety features and operation.

Government of India has taken several initiatives to improve the safety conditions of these dams in the country. In order to address the dam safety issues holistically, Union Government has enacted the Dam Safety Act in December 2021. The Act provides a comprehensive frame work for proper surveillance, inspection, operations and maintenance of all the large (specified) dams of the country for ensuring their safe functioning and to avoid dam failure related disasters. The Act also provides for empowered institutional framework for dam safety both at the Centre and State and will also help in standardizing and improving dam safety practices across the country.

Moreover, in order to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams in the country, Government of India is implementing the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) with external funding. Under the World Bank funded DRIP Phase-I programme, which was implemented during April 2012 to March 2021, 223 existing dams located in 7 States were comprehensively audited and rehabilitated at a cost of Rs. 2,567 crores.

After completion of DRIP Phase I programme, Government of India has taken up DRIP Phase-II & III. The scheme envisages rehabilitation and safety improvement of 736 dams located in 19 States, with a budget outlay of Rs. 10,211 crore. The scheme is of 10 years duration. DRIP Phase-Il has become operational from 12th October 2021, and is being co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

Dam Safety Act 2021 provides for four tiers of institutional mechanism: establishment of National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) and National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) at Centre level and establishment of State Committee on Dam Safety and the State Dam Safety Organization at State level.

After enactment of the Dam Safety Act, Central Government has constituted the NCDS to evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required. Central Government has also established the National Dam Safety Authority to function as a regulatory authority to implement the policy, guidelines and standards evolved by the NCDS for proper surveillance, inspection and maintenance of specified dams. Similarly, at the State/UT level, all the States (28) and Union Territories (3) owning the specified dams have established the State/UT Dam Safety Committees & Organisations.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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AS

ANNEXURE

State-wise List of Large Dams as per NRLD-2023

 

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