**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 58, addressed in the Lok Sabha on January 29, 2026, regarding the rehabilitation and monitoring of dams in Maharashtra under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). It outlines the government's progress on implementing a real-time digital water storage monitoring system and addresses concerns about project delays and corrective actions. An annexure details dams under DRIP Phase-II with rehabilitation works exceeding scheduled deadlines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Real-Time Monitoring System:**
* The Maharashtra Water Resources Department (WRD) has proposed rehabilitation and safety improvements for 11 dams under DRIP Phase-II.
* Provisions have been made for the installation of automatic water level recorders at Lower Wunna and Upper Wardha dams.
* These instruments will provide hourly water level data and compute storage values for effective reservoir management.
* **DRIP Phase-II Delays:**
* Details of dams in Maharashtra under DRIP Phase-II with rehabilitation works that have exceeded scheduled deadlines are provided in an Annexure.
* Ujjaini and Warna Dams are not included under DRIP Phase-II.
* **Corrective Actions:**
* No punitive actions have been initiated by the Government of Maharashtra to date.
* Technical and monitoring support is being extended to implementing agencies, with senior-level officers sensitized to expedite implementation.
* Site visits are conducted regularly, and corrective measures are discussed and communicated to dam authorities for timely action.
* **Annexure Information:**
* Lists dams with rehabilitation work exceeding deadlines, their packages, original scheduled completion dates, and expenditure incurred up to December 2025.
* Includes data for Lower Wunna, Manjara, Dnyanganga, Wan, and Upper Wardha dams.
**Impact Analysis**
**Maharashtra Water Resources Department (WRD)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing rehabilitation and safety improvements for dams under DRIP.
* **Action Required:** Ensure timely completion of rehabilitation works, utilize technical assistance effectively, and implement corrective measures as directed.
**Dam Authorities**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the operation and management of dams undergoing rehabilitation.
* **Action Required:** Cooperate with site visits, implement corrective measures, and ensure accountability in data reporting.
**Central Project Management Unit (CPMU)**
* **Impact:** Oversees and provides support to the Maharashtra WRD for DRIP activities.
* **Action Required:** Continue providing technical and monitoring support to ensure DRIP activities are implemented effectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): A project focused on the rehabilitation and safety improvements of dams.
Maharashtra Water Resources Department (WRD): The state department responsible for rehabilitation and safety improvements of dams under DRIP in Maharashtra.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for water resources.
Maharashtra: The state where the dam rehabilitation and monitoring is taking place.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 58
ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
REHABILITATION AND MONITORING OF DAMS IN MAHARASHTRA
58. Ms. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has developed and operationalised a real-time digital water storage monitoring
system for the 167 dams in Maharashtra covered under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
Phase II & III and if so, the details thereof including key specifications of the system such as frequency of
updates, public accessibility, integration with disaster preparedness protocols and the implementation status for
each dam;
(b) the details of the dams in Maharashtra under DRIP Phase II & III where rehabilitation works have exceeded
scheduled deadlines including dam-wise data on delays and corresponding budget utilisation especially Ujjaini
Dam and Warna Dam in Solapur; and
(c) the punitive or corrective actions instituted by the Government in case of repeated delays or misreporting of
dam storage and repair data and the manner in which such actions are disclosed to the public and legislature to
ensure accountability?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Under the externally funded Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), Phase-II, Maharashtra
Water Resources Department (WRD) has proposed rehabilitation and safety improvements for 11 dams. As per
the proposals submitted by the Maharashtra WRD to the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) in the Central
Water Commission, provisions have been made for the installation of automatic water level recorders at two dams
namely Lower Wunna and Upper Wardha. These instruments will provide the hourly water level data and
compute the corresponding storage values (derived from the elevation–capacity curve). This continuous
monitoring will equip dam owners with accurate, real-time information to manage reservoir conditions more
effectively.
(b) The details of the dams in Maharashtra under DRIP Phase-II, where rehabilitation works have extended
beyond the originally scheduled completion period, along with the corresponding expenditure incurred, are
provided at Annexure.
It is further informed that Ujjaini and Warna Dams are not included under DRIP Phase-II.
(c) The Government of Maharashtra has informed that no punitive actions have been initiated in this regard to
date. As DRIP is a State Sector Scheme with a Central component, all necessary technical and monitoring support
for DRIP activities is being extended to the implementing agencies. Senior-level officers, including dam
authorities, have been sensitized to expedite implementation. Wherever technical assistance is required to address
issues, it is being appropriately provided. Furthermore, site visits are conducted regularly at dams where
rehabilitation works are in progress. Based on these visits, any corrective measures found necessary are discussed
and formally communicated to the respective dam authorities for timely action.
***
1ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 58 TO
BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 29.01.2026 REGARDING “REHABILITATION AND
MONITORING OF DAMS IN MAHARASHTRA”.
Details of the dams in Maharashtra under DRIP Phase-II, where rehabilitation works have extended
beyond the originally scheduled completion period
S.no. Dams Package Original Expenditure
Incurredupto
scheduled
Dec, 2025
completion
(in Rs Cr.)
date
1. Lower Wunna Package 1- Dam safety works of 16.03.2025 18.33
Rehabilitation of Lower Wunna Wadgaon
Dam under Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project, Taluka: Umred
District: Nagpur
Package 2- Electrical and Hydro-mechanical 10.01.2026 2.12
work of Rehabilitation of Lower Wunna
Wadgaon Dam under Dam Rehabilitation
and Improvement Project, Taluka
:Umred, District: Nagpur
2. Manjara Package 3- Electrical work Package of 31.05.2025 0.65
Manjra dam Dis. Beed
3.. Dnyanganga Civil and Hydro-Mechanical package of 14.05.2025 2.31
Dnyanganga Medium project Tq. Khamgaon
Dist. Buldana
4. Wan Civil and Hydro-Mechanical package of 08.11.2025 2.63
Wan project Tq. Telhara Dist. Akola
5. Upper Wardha Civil Work, Mechanical works, Electrical 24.10.2025 7.55
works & Instrumentation works package of
Upper Wardha Dam in Amravati District
*****
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