Lok Sabha Question No. 306 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-23
Subject: Camera Surveillance System for Dams and Reservoirs
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 306

ANSWERED ON 23.03.2017

## CAMERA SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM FOR DAMS AND RESERVOIRS

## *306.       SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN

Will  the  Minister  of  WATER  RESOURCES,  RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND  GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken adequate steps for the safety of dams and reservoirs in the country  including  installation  of  CCTV  cameras,  sensors  and  detectors  thereby  providing  24x7 security/ surveillance and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has allocated funds for the purpose;
- (c) if  so,  the  quantum of funds released and expenditure incurred thereon during each of the last five years; and
- (d)  the  further  steps  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  foolproof  security  and safety of dams and reservoirs?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

(SUSHRI UMA BHARTI)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

****

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Starrred Question No. *306 for answer on 23.03.2017 regarding Camera Surveillance System for Dams and Reservoirs raised by Shri Pr. Senthil Nathan, Hon'ble MP.

(a)  to  (c)  The  owners  of  the  respective  dams  who  are  generally  State  Governments  or  Central Agencies  like  BBMB,  NHPC  etc.  maintain  and  operate  the  dams  including  providing  for  their adequate security. In order to supplement the efforts of the State Governments, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation provides technical and financial assistance to  encourage  sustainable  development  and  efficient  management  of  water  resources  through various  schemes  and  programmes  such  as  Dam  Rehabilitation  and  Improvement  Programme (DRIP).

DRIP was started in April 2012 and is scheduled to be completed in June 2018 with the financial assistance of World Bank for the rehabilitation of about 225 dam projects from the point of view of safety  across  the  seven  States  of  India,  namely  Kerala,  Madhya  Pradesh,  Odisha,  Tamil  Nadu, Karnataka, Jharkhand (DVC) and Uttarakhand (UJVNL). The total project cost is Rs. 2100 Crore.

The works undertaken under DRIP, inter-alia, includes installation of safety and security devices such as CCTV cameras for surveillance at selected dams.

The State-wise breakup of the dams identified for rehabilitation along with fund allocated to Project Implementing Agencies under DRIP is given as under:

WRD: Water Resources Department, EB: Electricity Board,

| State                    | No of DRIP dams   |   Total Project Cost (Rs. Crore) |
|--------------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------|
| Kerala (WRD &EB)         | 28                |                           279.98 |
| Orissa (WRD)             | 26                |                           147.74 |
| Madhya Pradesh (WRD)     | 29                |                           314.54 |
| Tamil Nadu (WRD &EB)     | 107               |                           745.49 |
| Karnataka (WRD)          | 27                |                           276.75 |
| Jharkhand (DVC)          | 3                 |                           139.4  |
| Uttarakhand (UJVNL)      | 5                 |                            64.1  |
| Central Water Commission |                   |                           132    |
| Total                    | 225               |                          2100    |

DVC: Damodar Valley Corporation, UJVNL: Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd

- d)  Draft  Cabinet  Note  on  the  proposal  for  the  enactment  of  Dam  Safety  Bill  was  circulated  to Central Ministries,  along  with  NITI  Aayog,  on  18.05.2016.  NITI  Aayog  suggested fresh consultations with the States as the present Bill has national level applicability. Accordingly, the draft Dam Safety Bill was circulated to all the States and Union Territories vide DO letter dated 09.08.2016. Further, 37 th meeting of National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) held  on 17 & 18 th February, 2017 discussed the draft Dam Safety Bill.

In accordance with the comments received from various States and outcome of the 37 th Meeting of NCDS, some changes in the Bill are envisaged and the matter has been referred to Ministry of Law & Justice for incorporating the proposed changes in the Bill.

The  purpose  of  Dam  Safety  Bill  is  to  ensure  safety  of  dams  and  the  life  &  property  of  people downstream. The Bill will be applicable to all large dams in India. It has provisions for perpetual surveillance, inspection as well as for installation of various scientific and technical instruments.