DAM SAFETY ACT 2021

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Context - The Union Government has organized National Workshop on Dam Safety Act, 2021.

 

Details

• Central Water Commission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has organized a National Workshop on Dam Safety Act, 2021 in New Delhi.
• The objective of the workshop is to sensitize all stakeholders about the Dam Safety Act of 2021 and to promote dam safety governance in the country.
• There are more than 5200 existing large dams in India, and more than 450 large dams are under construction.
  • Maharashtra has the highest number of dams.
  • Madhya Pradesh at 2nd and Gujarat at 3rd place.
• In India, dams store about 300 billion cubic meters of water annually.
• Indian dams are ageing;
  • More than 80% of dams exceed 25 years of age.
  • More than 227 dams exceed 100 years of age.

 

Dam Safety Act, 2021

• The Dam Safety Act was enacted by Parliament in 2021.
• The main objective of the act is to provide a mechanism for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country.
• The Act constitutes 2 National bodies:
  • The National Committee on Dam Safety.
  • National Dam Safety Authority.
• It also constitutes 2 State bodies:
  • State Committee on Dam Safety.
  • State Dam Safety Organization.
  • These state-level bodies are responsible for the surveillance, inspection, and monitoring of the operation and maintenance of dams within their jurisdiction.
• The functions of the National Committee on Dam Safety;
  • Developing policies and recommending regulations regarding dam safety standards in India.
• The function of the National Dam Safety Authority;
  • To implement the policies of the National Committee on Dam Safety.
  • To provide technical assistance to State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs).
  • Resolving matters between SDSOs of states or between an SDSO and any dam owner in that state.
• An offence can lead to imprisonment of up to 2 years, a fine, or both.
• The Act applies to all specified dams built on both inter and intra-state rivers.
• Dam owners will be liable for the safe construction, operation, maintenance and supervision of a dam. They need to provide a dam safety unit in each dam.
• The Dam safety unit will inspect the dams:
  • Before and after the monsoon season.
  • During and after every earthquake, flood, calamity, or any sign of distress.
  • They will prepare an emergency action plan.
  • They will conduct risk assessment studies at regular intervals.
  • They will prepare a comprehensive dam safety evaluation.

 

Significance of Dams

• Dams act as an artificial barrier to rivers.
• They are used to store river water and help in irrigation, power generation, flood moderation, and water supply.
• Dams higher than 15 m or between 10 m and 15 m in height and fulfil certain conditions are called large dams.
  • They are mainly operated by states; a few of them are under central public sector undertakings and private agencies.
• As a large amount of river water is stored behind a dam, and its failure can cause large-scale damage to life and property. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the safety of the dam safety is essential.

 

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https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1834094

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