India has been making remarkable progress in the ambit of dam safety and water resource management. Key to these achievements are initiatives such as the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and the National Hydrology Project (NHP). The Union Government has enacted the Dam Safety Act, 2021 with a focus on proper surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams. On the other hand, the NHP is aimed at enhancing water resource management capabilities nationwide.
Institutional Mechanisms for Dam Safety
To ensure the safe functioning of dams and prevent related disasters, various institutional mechanisms have been established. At the national level, the government set up the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) to outline dam safety policies and suggest vital regulations. For effective implementation of these policies, the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) was created. Moreover, at the state level, governments have been empowered to establish a State Committee on Dam Safety and State Dam Safety Organizations.
The Current State of Indian Dams
With a total of 5745 dams (5334 completed and 411 under construction), India ranks third worldwide in terms of building large dams. Locally, the Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand stands as the highest, while the Hirakud Dam in Odisha is the longest. The oldest dam, Kallanai Dam in Tamil Nadu, has a history dating back about 2000 years.
Other Water Resource Management Initiatives
Aside from the Dam Safety Act, 2021, other water resource management initiatives have also been rolled out. These include Swachh Bharat Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, National Water Policy, 2012, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and Jal Shakti Abhiyan- Catch the Rain Campaign, among others.
Dam Safety and Water Resource Management Challenges
Despite the significant steps in dam safety, India faces challenges such as geological and geotechnical ones, including seismically active regions and poor soil quality. The aging infrastructure of several dams also poses a hurdle. Changing climate patterns and extreme weather events, along with the need for interstate and international cooperation, add to the challenges. The list extends to include the development and maintenance of effective emergency response infrastructure and community resettlement and rehabilitation issues.
Steps Forward
To counter these challenges, approaches like developing a dynamic project plan incorporating real-time monitoring, eco-friendly technologies, and disaster preparedness are essential. Consideration of climate change effects in dam design and management, organizing training programs for dam safety professionals, and strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries/states for shared river system management are necessary. Prioritizing engagement with local communities is also crucial to ensure harmonious co-existence and protection of their well-being.
This comprehensive understanding of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, National Hydrology Project (NHP), and related initiatives serves as an essential reference for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, specifically in dealing with unforeseen contingencies related to dam construction, as per a previous year’s question in 2018.
