The International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) is being held in Bengaluru on 13-14 February 2026 under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III. The conference brings together policymakers, engineers, dam owners, regulators, academia and international institutions to discuss dam rehabilitation, modernisation and risk management in India. It also marks the growing importance of dam safety in the context of ageing infrastructure, climate stress and disaster preparedness.
Conference Venue and Organisation
The event is taking place at the J.N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. It is being organised by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, along with the Water Resources Department, Government of Karnataka. The Central Water Commission, IISc Bengaluru and the World Bank are also associated with the conference.
Key Themes of Dam Safety
The inaugural session underlined that dam safety is closely linked to national security, flood control, agriculture and energy reliability. Speakers stressed the need for science-based action, stronger regulation and coordinated efforts among governments, technical institutions and communities. The discussions focused on:
- Rehabilitation of ageing dams.
- Climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
- Modern engineering and monitoring systems.
- Transparent and timely safety reforms.
Major Announcements and Launches
The conference saw the launch of DAMCHAT, an AI-powered platform developed by the International Centre of Excellence for Dams at IIT Roorkee. The Jal Shakti Data Management platform of the National Water Informatics Centre was also revealed. In addition, publications by the Advanced Centre for Integrated Water Resources Management, Karnataka, and guidelines on design flood estimation for mini and micro catchment areas were released. These initiatives are intended to improve digital decision support and data-driven dam safety management.
Policy Significance
India has more than 6,500 specified dams, many of which require rehabilitation and modernisation. The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides the legal framework for inspection, maintenance and risk reduction, but effective implementation by States and dam-owning agencies remains crucial. The conference is expected to support stronger institutional coordination, better use of technology and improved preparedness for future water security challenges.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026