The Dam Safety Act, 2021

Dam Safety Act, 2021

The Dam Safety Act, 2021, is an Indian law that aims to provide for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of specified dams for the prevention of dam failure-related disasters. The Act establishes a national framework for dam safety management, comprising the National Committee on Dam Safety, the National Dam Safety Authority, State Committees on Dam Safety, and State Dam Safety Organisations.

The Act extends to the whole of India and comes into force on a date notified by the Central Government. It applies to the owner of every specified dam, including public sector undertakings and institutions owned or controlled by the Central Government or State Governments. The Act defines various terms, such as "dam," "dam failure," and "vulnerability and hazard classification."

The National Committee on Dam Safety is constituted to discharge functions related to dam safety, while the National Dam Safety Authority is established to implement policies, guidelines, and standards for dam safety. State Committees on Dam Safety are also constituted, and they have the power to make rules and regulations for the implementation of the Act.

Each State Dam Safety Organisation is responsible for maintaining specified dams under its jurisdiction and has the power to enforce attendance and call for information as necessary. The organisations must maintain log books and records of dam failures and incidents, and furnish information to the Authority as and when required.

The Act also provides for emergency action plans, comprehensive dam safety evaluations, offences and penalties, and miscellaneous provisions.

Key Provisions:

• Establishment of National Committee on Dam Safety


• National Dam Safety Authority


• State Committees on Dam Safety


• State Dam Safety Organisations


• Surveillance and inspection of specified dams


• Vulnerability and hazard classification of dams


• Maintenance of log books and records


• Emergency action plans


• Comprehensive dam safety evaluations


• Offences and penalties

Objective:

The objective of the Act is to prevent dam failure-related disasters and ensure the safe functioning of specified dams, while also providing institutional mechanisms for their operation and maintenance.