Dam Safety Bill 2018

Dam Safety Bill 2018Background
  • Dam safety is responsibility of dam owners which are generally state governments, central and state power generating PSUs, municipalities and private companies.
  • In 1979 central government has created Dam Safety Organization in Central Water Commission (CWC) for assisting states in evaluating safety-related hazards in existing structures
  • Subsequently, 17 states having significant numbers of dams had established their own Dam Safety Organizations and had taken up measures for ensuring dam safety in their respective jurisdictions.
  • In 1987 central government had constituted National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) to act as a forum for exchange of views on techniques adopted for remedial measures to relieve distress in old dams.
  • From the 8th five-year plan safety of dam came under planned activity. As a result, Dam Safety Assurance & Rehabilitation Project (DSARP), assisted by the World Bank, was implemented
  • In 2005, DSARP was rechristened as Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
  • In 2010, a dam safety bill was introduced but the bill lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.

Why Centre is introducing this Bill?

Though the subject does not fall under the purview of Parliament, the Centre has decided to introduce this bill mainly because dam safety is an issue of concern in the country. And there are no legal and institutional safeguards in this regard.

Highlights of Dam Safety Bill, 2018

  • The Bill provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation, Emergency Action Plan, comprehensive dam safety review, adequate repair and maintenance funds for dam safety, Instrumentation and Safety Manuals of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.
  • It will help in standardizing and improving dam safety practices across the country.
  • It will address all issues concerning dam safety including regular inspection of dams,
  • The Bill provides for constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety which shall evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations as may be required for the purpose.
  • The Bill provides for establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body which shall discharge functions to implement the policy, guidelines and standards for dam safety in the country.
  • The Bill provides for constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.
  • Dam Safety Bill 2018 will empower the dam safety institutional set-ups in both the Centre and States
  • The Bill provides for comprehensive safety evaluation (CSE) by independent panel of expert. First CSE within 5 years, and thereafter at regular intervals specified by NCDS.
  • Comprehensive Safety Evaluation would be compulsory in case of major modification to structure or design criteria; discovery of unusual condition at dam or reservoir rim; an extreme hydrological or seismic event.
  • The Bill provides for punishment / penalty if the dam safety provisions are not followed

Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

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