**Executive Summary**
The Union Government is implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II & III to enhance the resilience and operational performance of dams across India. This initiative focuses on institutionalizing safety audits, completing rehabilitation works on distressed dams, and strengthening surveillance through digital tools and standardized regulations. Key measures include mandatory pre- and post-monsoon inspections and the development of Emergency Action Plans to mitigate structural and hydrological risks.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Institutional Framework**
* The Dam Safety Act, 2021, effective from December 30, 2021, provides a comprehensive framework for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams.
* The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has been established to oversee standards, regulate inspections, and implement policies framed by the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS).
* The NDSA has published 20 dam safety regulations through official Gazette notifications to standardize guidelines and monitor compliance.
**Inspection and Surveillance**
* Mandatory pre-monsoon and post-monsoon safety audits have been institutionalized across all States and Union Territories.
* In 2025, 6,524 pre-monsoon and 6,555 post-monsoon inspections were conducted.
* Several States/UTs have constituted Independent Panels of Experts to perform comprehensive safety evaluations.
**Rehabilitation and Technical Support**
* DRIP Phase-II & III emphasize rehabilitation works, safety improvements, and capacity building for vulnerable dams.
* Major rehabilitation works on 40 distressed dams have already been completed under the scheme.
* The Central Water Commission (CWC) has circulated standard bidding documents to facilitate the installation of health monitoring instrumentation at dams and barrages.
* Digital tools developed under DRIP-II enable dam owners and safety organizations to meet their legal obligations within prescribed timelines.
**Emergency Preparedness and Safety Measures**
* Implementing agencies are developing Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and early warning systems to provide timely alerts to downstream communities.
* Mock drills are being conducted in coordination with State and District authorities to enhance response mechanisms for floods and extreme weather events.
* NDSA organizes Community Awareness Programs to promote proactive risk mitigation and emergency preparedness at dam sites.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Dam Safety Organizations and Dam Owners**
**Impact**
They are now legally mandated to follow a structured framework for dam maintenance and are supported by digital tools and technical oversight from the NDSA.
**Action Required**
Must conduct mandatory bi-annual safety audits, prepare EAPs, and submit comprehensive proposals for structural and non-structural rehabilitation measures.
**National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)**
**Impact**
Acts as the central regulatory body responsible for standardizing safety protocols and ensuring compliance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
**Action Required**
Provide technical support to States, monitor compliance with the Act, and implement recommendations from the NCDS.
**Downstream Communities**
**Impact**
Increased safety through early warning systems, improved disaster response coordination, and better awareness of dam-related risks.
**Action Required**
Participate in community awareness programs and coordinate with authorities during mock drills to ensure preparedness for emergency events.
Key Entities Referenced
Dam Safety Act, 2021: The primary legislation providing a comprehensive framework for the surveillance, inspection, and maintenance of specified dams to ensure safe functioning and disaster risk reduction.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): An initiative (Phases II & III) focused on the structural rehabilitation, safety improvement, and digital monitoring of vulnerable dams across India.
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): A regulatory body established to oversee dam safety standards, monitor compliance with the 2021 Act, and provide technical oversight to states.
National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): A committee responsible for framing dam safety policies and making recommendations for the formulation of safety regulations.
Central Water Commission: The agency responsible for preparing standard bidding documents and extending technical support to states for dam instrumentation and monitoring plans.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
DAM REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT PHASE-II
Posted On: 30 MAR 2026 4:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Government enacted the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which came into effect on 30th December
2021. The Act provides a comprehensive framework for surveillance, inspection, operation, and
maintenance of specified dams across the country, ensuring their safe functioning and minimizing the risk
of dam-related disasters. Since its enactment, dam inspections have been institutionalized in all
States/UTs, with mandatory pre-monsoon and post-monsoon safety audits. Furthermore, several
States/UTs have constituted Independent Panels of Experts to undertake comprehensive safety evaluations,
thereby strengthening surveillance, maintenance, and overall resilience of specified dams.
The year-wise details of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections of specified dams, as reported by the
respective dam owners, are presented in the table below:
Year Pre-Monsson Inspection of Dams (Nos.) Post-Monsson Inspection of Dams (Nos.)
2023 6414 5881
2024 6366 6456
2025 6524 6555
To improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams across the country, Govt. of
India is implementing the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), Phase-II & III with
external funding. The project emphasizes rehabilitation works, safety improvement, and capacity building,
ensuring that vulnerable dams are strengthened against structural and hydrological risks.
Further, the digital tools developed under DRIP-II are enabling dam owners, State Dam Safety
Organizations, and the National Dam Safety Authority to effectively fulfill their obligations under the
Dam Safety Act, 2021 within the prescribed timelines. In parallel, the capacity-building programmes
conducted under the project have been effective in strengthening institutional frameworks across States.
Moreover, under DRIP-II, the technology demonstration both related to use of diagnostic tools, studies
and rehabilitation techniques is helping the States to adopt cost effective solutions. Apart from this, major
rehabilitation works on 40 distressed dams have been completed under the scheme.
Project allocations under DRIP Phase-II are made to implementing agencies on the basis of
comprehensive proposals that encompass both structural and non-structural measures for selected dams,
including provision of early warning systems. In line with the Dam Safety Act, 2021, these agencies have
made proposal for installation of instrumentation for health monitoring of dams. To facilitate this, the
Central Water Commission has prepared and circulated standard bidding documents for instrumentationworks at dams and barrages, while also extending technical support to States in formulating their
instrumentation plans. Simultaneously, DRIP implementing agencies are developing Emergency Action
Plans for their designated dams and establishing early warning to ensure timely alerts to downstream
communities.
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has been established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021. The
Authority oversees dam safety standards, regulates inspections, and implements policies framed by the
National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS).
As mandated under the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, NDSA on the recommendations of the
NCDS has prepared and published 20 dam safety regulations through official Gazette notifications. In
addition, NDSA has played a pivotal role in standardizing guidelines, monitoring compliance with the Act,
and providing technical oversight and support to States. These efforts have significantly strengthened the
safety, surveillance, and maintenance of specified dams across the country.
As part of the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, dam owners are preparing Emergency Action
Plans (EAPs) for their respective dams. Mock drills, conducted in coordination with State Governments,
District Authorities, and Disaster Management Agencies, are enhancing preparedness for floods and
extreme weather events. These exercises strengthen stakeholder coordination and improve response
mechanisms.
In addition to these efforts, NDSA has organized Community Awareness Programs at various dam sites,
involving State authorities, other stakeholders, and downstream communities. These programmes aim to
build awareness on dam safety, promote proactive risk mitigation, and strengthen resilience and
emergency preparedness.
The information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ
BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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ND
(Rajya Sabha USQ 4077)
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