National Dam Safety Authority in the works

National Dam Safety Authority in the works

News

1-The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament.

Important facts:

2-Key features of the Bill

• Provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all specified dams in the country to ensure their safe functioning.
• Provides for constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety.
• Establishment of National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body.
• The Bill provides for constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by State Government.

3-Functions of National Dam Safety Authority

• Maintain liason with the State Dam Safety Organisations and the owners of dams for standardisation of dam safety related data and practices.
• Provide the technical and managerial assistance to the States and State Dam Safety Organisations.
• Maintain a national level data-base of all dams in the country and the records of major dam failures.
• Examine the cause of any major dam failure.
• Publish and update the standard guidelines and check-lists for the routine inspection and detailed investigations of dams.
• Accord recognition or accreditations to the organisations that can be entrusted with the works of investigation, design or construction of new dams.

4-Significance:

• help all the States and Union Territories of India to adopt uniform dam safety procedures which shall ensure safety of dams and safeguard benefits from such dams.
• This shall also help in safeguarding human life, livestock and property.