⦿ India is ranked third in the world in terms of building large dams. Of the over 5,200 large dams built so far, about 1,100 large dams have already reached 50 years of age, and some are older than 120 years.
⦿ The Dam Safety Bill introduced in Lok Sabha in July 2019 was passed by Rajya Sabha in December 2021 to become Dam Safety Act, 2021.
⦿ The Act provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country.
⦿ These are dams with height more than 15 metres, or height between 10 m -15 m with certain design and structural conditions.
⦿ Two National Level Bodies has been establiashed
National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS)
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
The National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) which improvises policies and recommends regulations regarding dam safety standards.
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) which implements policies of the NCDA and provides technical assistance to State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs) and resolves disputes involving an SDSO.
State Level Bodies are :-
The State Committee on Dam Safety supervises state dam rehabilitation programs, reviews the work of the SDSO, and the progress on measures recommended in relation to dam safety, among others.
⦿ Dam owners will be responsible for the safe construction, operation, maintenance and supervision of a dam.
⦿ Preparing an emergency action plan
⦿ Carrying out risk assessment studies at specified regular intervals
⦿ Preparing a comprehensive dam safety evaluation through a panel of experts.