**Executive Summary**
The document details the progress and plans of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phases I, II & III in India, last updated on December 18, 2025. It reports on the rehabilitation of existing dams, safety audits, and measures to address structurally weak or aging dams. The DRIP-II scheme, with a 10-year duration (2021-2031), is underway.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **DRIP Phase-I:**
* Implemented from 2012-2021.
* Rehabilitated 223 dams across seven states with World Bank financial assistance.
* **DRIP Phase-II & III:**
* A 10-year scheme (2021-2031) implemented in two phases.
* Aims to rehabilitate and enhance the safety of 736 dams across 19 States and three Central agencies.
* Total financial outlay: Rs. 10,211 crores.
* Co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.
* Phase II outlay: Rs. 5,107 crores; Phase III allocation: Rs. 5,104 crores.
* As of November 30, 2025, expenditure under DRIP-II is Rs. 1931 crores, with major physical rehabilitation completed at 31 dams.
* 162 rehabilitation proposals approved under DRIP-II, with contracts awarded for Rs. 2776 crores.
* Jammu and Kashmir does not form part of this scheme.
* **Dam Safety:**
* Dam owners are primarily responsible for dam safety, including operation and maintenance.
* Dam owners conduct pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections and safety audits.
* States have Dam Safety Review Panels.
* As per Dam Safety Act 2021, 6524 and 6543 dams respectively reported pre- and post-monsoon inspections for the year 2025.
* **Dam Categorization:**
* Dams are categorized into three categories based on the urgency of repairs: Category-III (minor repairs), Category-II (major deficiencies), and Category-I (serious deficiencies).
* Pre-monsoon inspection reports of 2025 identified two Category-I dams: Medigadda Barrage (Telangana) and Lower Khajuri Dam (Uttar Pradesh).
* 216 dams have been categorized under Category-II.
* **Funding:**
* Majority of states rely on established funding mechanisms, primarily through the ongoing DRIP-II Scheme.
* Dams outside DRIP are supported through dedicated State resources.
* DSRP inspections of 274 dams have been completed.
* **Institutional Framework:**
* All 31 dam-owning States and Union Territories have constituted their State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDSs) and State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs).
* These are fully operational.
* **Dam Safety Act 2021:**
* Stipulates that dam owners must earmark sufficient funds for maintenance, repairs, and implementation of SDSO recommendations.
* Dams in India are owned, operated, and maintained by State Government Departments/Boards, Central Public Sector Undertakings, or private agencies.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government Departments/Boards, Central Public Sector Undertakings, Private Agencies (Dam Owners):**
* **Impact:** Increased focus on dam safety and potential need for increased investment in dam maintenance and rehabilitation. The categorization of the dam has important implications, with Category-I dams requiring immediate attention and significant resources.
* **Action Required:** Conduct regular inspections and safety audits, allocate sufficient funds for maintenance and repairs, implement recommendations of SDSOs, and participate in the DRIP scheme where applicable.
**States and Union Territories:**
* **Impact:** Strengthened institutional mechanisms for dam safety through SCDSs and SDSOs.
* **Action Required:** Maintain fully operational SCDSs and SDSOs, ensure structured oversight and coordination, and implement dam safety measures.
**Government of India (Ministry of Jal Shakti):**
* **Impact:** Enhanced dam safety across the country, improved operational performance of existing dams, and strengthened institutional mechanisms for dam safety.
* **Action Required:** Oversee and monitor the implementation of the DRIP scheme, provide support to State Governments and dam owners, and ensure compliance with the Dam Safety Act 2021.
**World Bank and Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank:**
* **Impact:** Involved in the financial success of DRIP II & III
* **Action Required:** Monitor project implementation and ensure proper utilization of funds.
Key Entities Referenced
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): A Government of India project to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams across the country.
Dam Safety Act, 2021: An act mandating that every owner of a specified dam earmark sufficient funds for maintenance, repairs, and implementing recommendations of the State Dam Safety Organisation.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The government ministry responsible for dam rehabilitation and improvement projects.
State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs): State level organizations tasked with overseeing and coordinating dam safety measures in each state and union territory.
World Bank: An international financial institution that provides financial assistance to the DRIP project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3084
ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025
DAM REHABILITATION, SAFETY AUDITS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DRIP
3084. SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:
SHRI TATKARE SUNIL DATTATREY:
SMT. MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:
SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of projects under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phases I, II
and III including the number of dams covered and the progress made so far, State-wise including UT of
Jammu and Kashmir;
(b) whether the Government has identified any dams that are structurally weak, ageing or high-risk, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the remedial measures proposed for such dams have been finalised, if so, the details thereof and;
(d) the present status of the State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs) and State Committees for Dam Safety
constituted under the Dam Safety Act and the States and Union Territories where these bodies are yet to be
fully operationalised; and
(e) whether the Government proposes any additional support mechanism for rehabilitation of old or
distressed dams, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) To improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams across the country along
with institutional strengthening for dam safety, Govt. of India is implementing the Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (DRIP) with external funding. Under the DRIP Phase-I Programme, implemented
during 2012–2021, a total of 223 existing dams across seven States were rehabilitated with financial
assistance from the World Bank. State/Agency-wise details of dams rehabilitated under the DRIP-I Scheme,
along with the corresponding expenditure incurred is given at Annexure-I.
After completion of DRIP Phase-I programme, Government of India has taken up DRIP Phase-II &
III scheme. The scheme is of 10 years duration (2021-2031), being implemented in two phases, each of 6
years duration with 2 years of overlap with external funding. The scheme envisages the rehabilitation and
safety enhancement of 736 dams spread across 19 States and three Central agencies, with a total financial
outlay of Rs. 10,211 crores. DRIP Phase-II has become operational from 12th October 2021, and is being co-
financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. The financial outlay for
Phase II is Rs. 5,107 crores, while Phase III has an allocation of Rs. 5,104 crores.
Under the ongoing DRIP-II Scheme, rehabilitation proposals (called Project Screening Template,
PST) of 162 dams amounting to Rs. 4,548 crores have been approved. Contracts amounting to Rs. 2776
1crores have been awarded by the various Implementing States/agencies. The total expenditure under DRIP-II
scheme up to 30th November 2025 is Rs. 1931 crores. Major physical rehabilitation works have been
completed at 31 dams.
State/Agency-wise details of progress under DRIP-II Scheme are given at Annexure-II.
Further, as per the Cabinet approval for the DRIP-II & III Scheme, the Union Territory of Jammu and
Kashmir does not form part of the Scheme.
(b) & (c) Responsibility for safety of dams, including its operation and maintenance rests primarily with dam
owners. At present dam owners generally carry out the safety audit in terms of periodical pre-monsoon and
post-monsoon inspection of their dams. States have also constituted Dam Safety Review Panels for
comprehensive audit of their dams. As per the compliance of Dam Safety Act 2021, dam owning agencies
have reported the pre-monsoon & post-monsoon inspections of about 6524 and 6543 dams respectively for
the year 2025.
As an outcome of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections, dams are being categorized into three
categories on the basis of urgency of repairs/maintenance. Category-III requires minor remedial measures
which are rectifiable during the year. Category-II indicates major deficiencies requiring prompt remedial
measures and Category-I indicate the most serious deficiencies, which if left unattended, may lead to their
failure.
As per the information provided by the National Dam Safety Authority, the pre-monsoon inspection
reports of 2025 indicate that two specified dams have been classified under Category-I. These are the
Medigadda Barrage in Telangana and the Lower Khajuri Dam in Uttar Pradesh. In addition, 216 dams have
been categorized under Category-II. State-wise distribution of these Category-II dams is detailed in
Annexure-III. The majority of States rely on established funding mechanisms, primarily through the
ongoing DRIP-II Scheme, to implement retrofitting and rehabilitation measures for distressed dams. For
dams outside the ambit of the DRIP framework, rehabilitation initiatives are supported through dedicated
State resources.
Further, under DRIP Phase II & III, detailed safety assessments of dams are being undertaken through
Dam Safety Review Panels (DSRP) constituted by the implementing agencies. To date, DSRP inspections of
274 dams have been completed, providing a thorough review of the safety concerns associated with these
dams.
Based on the outcomes of the DSRP inspections and reviews, as of 30th November 2025,
rehabilitation proposals for a total of 162 dams have been approved under the DRIP-II Scheme.
(d) In compliance with the provisions of the Act, all 31 dam-owning States and Union Territories have
constituted their respective State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDSs) and established the State Dam Safety
Organisations (SDSOs). These institutional mechanisms are fully operational, thereby ensuring structured
oversight, coordination, and implementation of dam safety measures at the State/UT level.
(e) & (f) The Dam Safety Act, 2021 stipulates that “Every owner of the specified dam shall earmark
sufficient and specific funds for maintenance and repairs of the dam and for implementing the
recommendations of the State Dam Safety Organisation.” Since dams in India are owned, operated, and
maintained by State Government Departments/Boards, Central Public Sector Undertakings, or private
agencies, the funds required for routine operation, maintenance (O&M), and rehabilitation are allocated by
the respective agencies through their annual budgets.
Currently, major dam rehabilitation activities in India are primarily financed through the externally
aided Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), Phase-II & III.
***
2ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3084 TO
BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 18.12.2025 REGARDING “DAM REHABILITATION,
SAFETY AUDITS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DRIP”.
State/Agency wise Details of Dams and Completion Cost under DRIP Phase-I
Implementing Agency Dams Completion Cost (Rs. Crore)
Madhya Pradesh WRD 25 146
Odisha WRD 26 336
Tamil Nadu WRD 69 506
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution
Corporation 20 163
Kerala WRD 16 271
Kerala SEB 37 124
CWC -- 201
Karnataka WRD 22 494
Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd 5 226
Damodar Valley Corporation 3 100
Total 223 2567
3ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3084 TO
BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 18.12.2025 REGARDING “DAM REHABILITATION,
SAFETY AUDITS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DRIP”.
State/Agency-wise details of progress under DRIP-II
S. State/Agency Present No of Amount Contract Expenditure No of Dams
No Allocation Dams of PST Awarded incurred where major
. under DRIP- whose approved rehabilitation
II PST works
approved completed
(inRs (Nos) (inRsCr) (inRsCr) (inRsCr) (Nos)
Cr)
1 Andhra Pradesh 0 0 0 0
WRD 0 0
2 Bhakra Beas 70 2 0 0
Management Board 45.06 0
3 Chhattisgarh WRD 170 2 123.53 66.68 51.91 0
4 Damodar Valley 44 3 1.17 0
Corporation 11.71 1.74
5 Goa WRD 58 1 28.24 0 0 0
6 Gujrat WRD 350 5 311.19 297.15 229.39 0
7 Jharkhand WRD 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 Karnataka WRD 699 10 507.03 307.42 268.71 3
9a Kerala SEBL 90 15 76.2 59 57.84 2
9b Kerala WRD 130 6 87.38 66.4 45.15 0
10 Maharashtra WRD 379 10 261.80 213.1 65.87 0
11 Manipur WRD 98 2 153.82 143.57 59.71 0
12 MePGCL 150 4 280 145.45 71.90 0
13 MP WRD 186 8 124.55 57.76 30.18 0
14 Odisha WRD 100 13 916.45 38.95 36.55 3
15 Punjab WRD 71 7 24.57 0 0.36 0
16 Rajasthan WRD 503 15 516.16 164.15 163.86 8
17 Tamil Nadu GECL 260 21 176.68 138.45 148.32 9
a
17 Tamil Nadu WRD 510 7 319.38 266.68 277.35 0
b
18 Telangana WRD 100 2 5.08 0 0 0
19 Uttarakhand JVNL 300 6 274 252.95 206.55 4
20 Uttar Pradesh 354 18 21.05 1
I&WRD 186.9 53.87
21 West Bengal I&WD 200 5 119 64.76 54.33 1
22 CWC 285 - 247 141.02 0
23 Spillover of DRIP-I 191.16 -
Total 5107 162 4548.73 2776.24 1931.22 31
4ANNEXURE-III
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3084 TO
BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 18.12.2025 REGARDING “DAM REHABILITATION,
SAFETY AUDITS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DRIP”.
State-wise distribution of Category-II dams
S.No. State Number of Dams in Category II based on
Pre-
Monsoon Inspection of 2025
1 Andaman & Nicobar 1
2 Andhra Pradesh 7
3 Bihar 1
4 Chhattisgarh 24
5 Gujarat 6
6 Haryana 2
7 Jharkhand 10
8 Karnataka 3
9 Kerala 9
10 Maharashtra 50
11 Meghalaya 6
12 Manipur 3
13 Madhya Pradesh 24
14 Nagaland 1
15 Odisha 4
16 Punjab 4
17 Rajasthan 1
18 Sikkim 1
19 Telangana 18
20 Tamil Nadu 19
21 Uttarakhand 5
22 Uttar Pradesh 12
23 West Bengal 5
TOTAL 216
*****
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