**Executive Summary**
The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil, inaugurated the new National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) office and launched key digital initiatives aimed at strengthening dam safety governance. The digital initiatives include the NDSA website, the NETRA engine for dam safety analysis using AI, and the Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan visualization platform. Additionally, rooftop solar power plants were remotely inaugurated at the Central Water Commission buildings.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **New NDSA Office Inauguration**
* The new office of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) in New Delhi was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Paatil.
* The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Central Water Commission, and NDSA.
* **Digital Initiatives Launched**
* **NDSA Website:** Launched at https://ndsa.gov.in, it complies with DBIM 3.0 guidelines and features a GIS-based "Specified Dams" section with a map interface for dam information.
* **NETRA – NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI:** An AI-enabled platform developed by NDSA in collaboration with WESEE (Indian Navy). It provides a conversational interface for accessing NDSA documents, including the Dam Safety Act regulations and policy guidelines, and integrates with DHARMA, a national repository of dam safety data for over 6,600 dams.
* **Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan (RBSD):** A visualization platform developed by CDAC for presenting Dam Break Analysis (DBA) results, supporting risk assessment and planning through the interpretation of potential dam break scenarios.
* **Remote Launch of CWC Solar Facility**
* Rooftop solar power plants, each with a capacity of less than 25 kW, were remotely inaugurated at seven buildings of the Central Water Commission.
* This initiative reinforces the government's commitment to clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
* **Minister's Remarks**
* The minister commended NDSA's efforts in enhancing dam safety governance through technology.
* He highlighted the importance of the NDSA website for transparency and accessibility of dam safety information.
* The integration of AI with the DHARMA database was noted as a significant step for analysing large volumes of inspection reports and improving decision-making.
* The tools developed by CDAC for dam break analysis were acknowledged for their role in modern risk assessment.
* The importance of promoting clean energy in government institutions was emphasized.
* The new office and improved work environment at NDSA are expected to boost efficiency and productivity in ensuring national dam safety.
**Impact Analysis**
* **National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)**
* **Impact:** The inauguration of the new office and the launch of digital initiatives are expected to enhance the NDSA's operational efficiency, data management capabilities, and overall effectiveness in dam safety governance.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new office facilities and leverage the launched digital platforms (website, NETRA, RBSD) for improved dam safety management and decision-making.
* **Dam Owners and Operators**
* **Impact:** Access to a centralized, user-friendly platform for dam safety information and analysis tools will improve their ability to conduct inspections, manage risks, and implement safety measures.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the NDSA website, NETRA platform, and RBSD tool for accessing relevant information and support for dam safety management.
* **Government Agencies and Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Enhanced transparency, data accessibility, and analytical capabilities will support better policy-making, resource allocation, and overall oversight of dam safety across the country.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the data and insights provided by the new digital initiatives for informed decision-making related to dam safety and infrastructure development.
* **Indian Navy (WESEE)**
* **Impact:** Collaboration on the NETRA platform highlights the application of AI and the Navy's R&D expertise in a critical national infrastructure domain.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support and collaborate on the further development and maintenance of the NETRA platform.
* **Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)**
* **Impact:** Recognition for developing the RBSD visualization platform, demonstrating CDAC's capability in providing advanced analytical and visualization tools for critical sectors.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support the maintenance and potential enhancements of the RBSD platform.
* **Central Water Commission (CWC)**
* **Impact:** Inauguration of rooftop solar power plants demonstrates commitment to clean energy, and their role in dam safety oversight is enhanced by the new digital initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Integrate clean energy practices and utilize the enhanced dam safety information and tools provided by NDSA for their operational and oversight functions.
Key Entities Referenced
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): The primary regulatory body responsible for dam safety in India, whose new office and digital initiatives are being launched.
NETRA – NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI: An AI-enabled platform developed by NDSA for accessing dam safety information, integrating with DHARMA.
Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan (RBSD): A visualization platform developed by CDAC for presenting Dam Break Analysis results and supporting risk assessment.
DHARMA: The national repository of dam safety data, which NETRA is integrated with.
Central Water Commission: A key government body involved in water resources management and infrastructure, which is also implementing solar power facilities.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C. R. Paatil
Inaugurates New NDSA Office; Launches Key
Digital Initiatives for Dam Safety
Posted On: 10 MAR 2026 3:51PM by PIB Delhi
The new office of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) at West Block II, R.K. Puram, New Delhi,
was inaugurated today by Shri C. R. Paatil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti. The ceremony was also attended
by Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Paatil Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary
Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Anupam Prasad,
Chairman Central Water Commission and Shri Anil Jain, Chairman NDSA, along with other senior
officials of the Ministry.
Shri C. R. Paatil inaugurated the new NDSA office by ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the plaque,
followed by a walkthrough of the office premises. A tree plantation was also undertaken at the NDSA lawn
by Shri C. R. Paatil, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary and Shri V. L. Kantha Rao.
During the programme, several digital initiatives developed by the National Dam Safety Authority aimed
at strengthening dam safety governance and promoting data-driven decision-making were launched.
Launch of NDSA Website
Shri C. R. Paatil launched the NDSA website (https://ndsa.gov.in), developed in accordance with the
DBIM 3.0 guidelines. A key feature of the website is the GIS-based “Specified Dams” section, which
provides a map-based interface displaying important information and features of specified dams across
India. A short introductory video highlighting the key sections and functionalities of the website was also
presented.
Launch of NETRA – NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI
The Union Minister launched NETRA (NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI), an AI-enabled
platform developed by NDSA in collaboration with the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering
Establishment (WESEE), a premier R&D laboratory of the Indian Navy.
NETRA provides a conversational interface that allows quick access to information from key NDSA
documents, including the Dam Safety Act regulations and policy guidelines. The platform is also
integrated with DHARMA, the national repository of dam safety data covering more than 6,600 specified
dams and thousands of inspection reports, enabling faster access, analysis and review of dam safety
information.
Launch of Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan
Shri C. R. Paatil also launched Rashtriya Bandh Suraksha Darpan (RBSD), a visualisation platform
developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing for presenting the results of Dam
Break Analysis (DBA). The tool enables effective visualisation and interpretation of potential dam break
scenarios and supports improved risk assessment and planning.Remote Launch of CWC Solar Facility
As part of the programme, the Union Minister also remotely inaugurated rooftop solar power plants
installed at seven buildings of the Central Water Commission, each having an installed capacity of less
than 25 kW, reinforcing the Government’s commitment towards clean energy and sustainable
infrastructure.
In his address, Shri C. R. Paatil appreciated the efforts of the NDSA in strengthening dam safety
governance through technology-driven initiatives. He particularly commended the development of the
NDSA website, which would enhance the transparency and accessibility of dam safety information.
Referring to NETRA, he noted that more than 13,000 inspection reports are generated every year during
pre-monsoon and post monsoon inspections of dams. He observed that integrating artificial intelligence
with the DHARMA database would greatly assist in analysing this large volume of information and would
significantly support the process of digitising dam safety data and improving decision-making.
He also appreciated the work of CDAC in developing tools that enable the creation of digital maps and
visualisation platforms for dam break analysis, which are essential for modern risk assessment and
planning. He further acknowledged the initiative of the Central Water Commission in installing rooftop
solar power facilities and emphasised the importance of promoting clean energy in government
institutions.
The minister expressed confidence that the new office and improved workplace environment at NDSA
would enhance efficiency and productivity and further strengthen the Authority’s role in ensuring dam
safety across the country.*****
ND
(Release ID: 2237509) Visitor Counter : 374
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati