Lok Sabha Question No. 615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-23
Subject: Renovation of Dams
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI, GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT, P.P. CHAUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES,

## RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †615

## ANSWERED ON 23.7.2015

## 

**Renovation of Dams**

†615. 	SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI

SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT

SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY

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

(a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the renovation and rebuilding of dams built for irrigation and drinking water purposes on the basis of their life and if so, the details thereof along with the names of dams for which the said study has been conducted;

(b) whether the Government has evaluated the extent of adverse effects on the strength and capacity of dams with the passage of time and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether any proposals have been received from various States in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon; and

(d) the measures taken/to be taken to renovate and rebuild the aged dams to maintain their strength and capacity?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION

(PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

1. No, Madam. The Central Government has not conducted any study about the renovation and rebuilding of dams built for irrigation and drinking water purposes on the basis of their life/age.  The dams are maintained and operated by dam owners, which are mostly the State Governments, and actions for their safety assessment regarding renovation and rebuilding are required to be addressed by the concerned dam owners. However, the Union Government has constituted the National Committee on Dam Safety and Central Dam Safety Organisation in the Central Water Commission to render technical advice on the dam safety activities in various States and suggests improvements in this regard.

Contd…p/2

//2//

1. No, Madam. The extent of adverse effects on the strength and capacity of the dams with the passage of time is highly subjective matter and differs vastly on a dam-to-dam basis. It still remains largely in the domain of research activity. There is no common yardstick to evaluate the extent of adverse effects on the dam due to ageing.

1. There is no specific scheme inviting proposals from the various states on evaluation of the extent of adverse effects on the dam due to aging.

1. In order to improve the safety and operational performance of select existing dams in the Country, Govt. of India has taken up the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) with funding assistance from the World Bank. As part of DRIP implementation, 226 dam projects in the seven states, namely Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, are being comprehensive evaluated for different safety parameters. Under DRIP, all the implementing States have formed the Dam Safety Review Panel (DSRP) consisting of various dam experts mostly from the outside state for reviewing the conditions of the dam and to suggest the remedial measures for renovation, repair and rehabilitation, if required. The proposals thus framed are further reviewed by the DRIP Central Project Management Unit, in Central Water Commission, before the approval of the World Bank for investment. So far under DRIP, proposals of 133 dam projects have been comprehensively reviewed as per the details below:
| **Sl. No.**   | **DRIP States**   | **No. of Large Dams in State**   | **No. of Dam Projects identified for rehabilitation under DRIP**   | **No. of Dam rehabitation proposals reviewed as on 30**  **th**  **June, 2015**   |
|---------------|-------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1             | Kerala            | 58                               | 28*                                                                | 27                                                                                |
| 2             | Madhya Pradesh    | 898                              | 29                                                                 | 27                                                                                |
| 3             | Odisha            | 198                              | 26                                                                 | 21                                                                                |
| 4             | Tamil Nadu        | 116                              | 108                                                                | 51                                                                                |
| 5             | Karnataka         | 230                              | 27                                                                 | 3                                                                                 |
| 6             | Uttarakhand       | 16                               | 5                                                                  | 1                                                                                 |
| 7             | Jharkhand         | 50                               | 3                                                                  | 3                                                                                 |
|               | **Total**         | **1566**                         | **226**                                                            | **133**                                                                           |

(* 28 dam projects consists of 53 dams)

DRIP with an estimated cost of Rs. 2100 Crore has become effective from 18th April. 2012, and will be implemented over a period of six-years. DRIP has a twofold objectives: (i) to Improve the safety and performance of selected existing dams and associated appurtenances in a sustainable manner; and (ii) to strengthen the dam safety institutional setup in participating States as well as at Central level.  The rehabilitation and improvement of identified large dams is being effected by focusing on structural and non-structural measures at the dams, hydrological assessments, sediment management, and other measures required to improve the safety and operation of the dams and associated appurtenances.  The non-structural measures includes flood mapping, development of emergency action plans, installation of warning systems, and development/updation of dam operation manuals.

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