Lok Sabha Question No. 3177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-04
Subject: Dam Safety Committee
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Hibi Eden

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3177 ANSWERED ON 04.08.2022

## DAM SAFETY COMMITTEE

## 3177 SHRI HIBI EDEN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the number of States that have formed the State Committee for Dam Safety (SCDS) and State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) before the mandated deadline of June 30, 2022;

(b) whether punitive action, as stipulated by the Act itself, would be taken against the States who have not formed an SCDS or SDSO;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether there is any mechanism to study and evaluate the strength of dams in the country and if so, the details thereof including the dam safety of Mullapperiyar; and

(e) whether there are any plans to improve dam safety of the Mullapperiyar dam of Kerala and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) As per the information provided by the State Governments, 20 States have constituted the State Committee  on  Dam  Safety  (SCDS)  and  16  States  have  established  the  State  Dam  Safety Organisation  (SDSO)  in  compliance  of  the  provisions  of  the  Dam  Safety  Act,  2021  within  the stipulated deadlines as prescribed in the Act.

(b)  &  (c) The Central Government and the National Dam Safety Authority are pursuing with the State Governments which have not formed the SCDS and SDSO yet. As a result, 5 more States have constituted/established  SCDS and SDSO respectively after the mandated deadline of June 30, 2022.

(d) Through  inspections,  investigations,  tests  and  studies,  the  health  of  a  dam  can  be  evaluated. Various  instruments,  which  are  installed  in  the  dam,  provide  relevant  information  on  the  safety conditions  of  the  dam.  Pre  and  post  monsoon  inspections  are  generally  carried  out  by  the  dam owning agencies every year. As per the Dam Safety Act 2021, all the specified dams are required to be  inspected  twice  a  year  during  the  pre-monsoon  and  post-monsoon  periods.  States  have  also constituted  the  Dam  Safety  Review  Panel  (DSRP)  for  comprehensive  audit  of  their  dams.  Dam Safety  Act  2021  is  also  having  the  provision  for  comprehensive  dam  safety  evaluation  of  all  the specified dams, including Mullaperiyar dam. This comprehensive dam safety evaluation is required to be carried out by the independent panel of experts constituted by the dam owners for the purpose of determining the conditions of the specified dam. Safety issues of the Mullaperiyar Dam have been examined and reviewed by various expert groups/ committees  in  the  past.  The  safety  issues  of  this  dam  were  examined  under  the  directions  of  the Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  of  India  through  an  Empowered  Committee  during  2010-12.    The Empowered Committee had comprehensively evaluated the safety issues of this dam and submitted

its report dated 23rd April 2012.

Besides,  Union  Government  in  compliance  of  the  Dam  Safety  Act  has  constituted  the  National Committee  on  Dam  Safety  (NCDS).  This  Committee  has  representation  from  States  also.  This Committee oversees dam safety activities in various States/ Organisations.

(e) The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in its judgment of 07.05.2014, in the matter of Original Suit No. 3 of 2006 [State of Tamil Nadu Vs State of Kerala & Anr.], held that the Mulla Periyar Dam is safe and further recommended to carry out the balance strengthening measures as per Hon'ble Supreme Court's judgment of 2006. For implementation of the recommendations, a three member Supervisory Committee was constituted by Hon'ble Supreme Court in 2014. This Committee monitors the safety aspects  of  Mullaperiyar  Dam.  Further,  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court,  vide  order  dated  08.04.2022,  has given directions to strengthen the Supervisory Committee, both in regard to its composition as well as  scope  of  its  functions  to  be  brought  in  conformity  with  the  provisions  and  powers  of  National Dam  Safety  Authority  (NDSA)  as  specified  in  the  Dam  Safety  Act  2021.  The  reconstituted Supervisory  Committee  shall  discharge  all  the  functions  and  also  exercise  all  the  powers  which otherwise are required to be exercised by the NDSA for ensuring safety of the Mullaperiyar Dam. The  party  States  must  extend  complete  cooperation  for  ensuring  that  the  directions  given  by  the Supervisory Committee from time to time for the purpose of maintenance of the Mullaperiyar Dam and its safety are complied with in prescribed time.

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