As part of the Seva Sankalp initiative aimed at strengthening dam safety and enhancing public safety, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) organised a stakeholder consultation on Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and emergency preparedness at Lonavala and Bhushi Dams in Lonavala, Maharashtra on 27 September 2026.

The consultation was chaired by Shri Saurabh Agrawal, Member (Administration & Finance), NDSA and was attended by Shri MS Verma, Director (Regulation), NDSA; Shri Harish Umbarje, Director (WR), NDSA; officers of NDSA Western Regional Office, Pune; and experts from Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune. Senior representatives of Tata Power, the owner of Lonavala Dam, and Central Railway, the owner of Bhushi Dam, also participated in the consultation.

The consultation included detailed discussions on the recent flood incident in the Lonavala area, the impact of intense rainfall and the lessons emerging from the event for strengthening preparedness during extreme rainfall situations. The need for enhanced coordination, timely communication and effective response mechanisms during emergency situations was emphasised.

It was highlighted that an Emergency Action Plan is a critical instrument for timely warning, communication, coordination and emergency response, particularly for safeguarding downstream communities, their lives and livelihoods.

NDSA advised both dam-owning agencies to review, update and strengthen their Emergency Action Plans, taking into account recent incidents, identified emergency scenarios, extreme rainfall events and the potential risks to downstream populations.

CWPRS provided technical inputs regarding its efforts to support dam owners in the preparation, review and finalisation of their Emergency Action Plans.

Following the consultation, officials from NDSA, CWPRS and the participating agencies undertook field visits to Lonavala Dam and Bhushi Dam, both situated within the Indrayani River system. The cascading relationship between Bhushi Dam and Lonavala Dam was also reviewed from the perspective of emergency preparedness, communication and downstream safety.

As part of the Seva Sankalp initiative, a tree plantation drive was also undertaken near the Lonavala Dam site to reinforce the commitment towards environmental sustainability and ecological conservation. All officers and representatives participating in the programme actively took part in the plantation activity, with each participant planting a sapling. The initiative highlighted the importance of integrating environmental stewardship with dam safety and sustainable water resource management.

The NDSA team also visited Shivsagar Dam at INS Shivaji, where the team inspected the inspection galleries and reviewed various dam safety and maintenance works being undertaken at the dam.

The Seva Sankalp initiative at Lonavala and Bhushi Dams reaffirmed the collective commitment of NDSA, dam-owning agencies and technical institutions towards placing public safety at the centre of dam safety management.

The participating agencies resolved to further strengthen inter-agency coordination, emergency preparedness, early warning and response mechanisms to ensure safer and more resilient dams and enhanced protection of downstream communities.

 

 

 

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