Backgrounder: dam rehabilitation and the Dam Safety Act
A PIB backgrounder notes India ranks third worldwide with 6,628 specified dams (6,545 operational). Over 26% (1,681) are more than 50 years old. The Dam Safety Act, 2021 sets up NCDS, NDSA and State safety bodies. DRIP II and III cost ₹10,211 crore for 736 dams in 19 States plus central agencies. All specified dams are on DHARMA.
- Dams
- 6,628 specified; 6,545 operational; 83 under construction; ~330 BCM storage
- Age
- over 26% (1,681) >50 years; 291 >100 years; ~42% aged 25 to 50
- Ownership
- ~98.5% (6,448) State-owned
- Act
- Dam Safety Act, 2021 (in force 30 Dec 2021); specified dam >15 m, or 10 to 15 m with criteria
- DRIP II+III
- ₹10,211 crore; 736 dams; 19 States + CWC/BBMB/DVC
- DHARMA
- all 6,628 registered; rapid risk screening done for 5,553
Dam safety, DRIP and the Dam Safety Act, 2021: what happened?
Old dams plus heavier rains equal risk. India’s answer is a national law, State safety organisations, and a World Bank/AIIB-backed rehabilitation programme.
- DRIP I (2012–2021): 223 dams in seven States.
- DRIP II expenditure to 31 Mar 2025: ₹2,225 crore; major works at 43 dams; PSTs for 191 dams (₹5,053 crore) approved.
- Four-tier institutions: NCDS, NDSA, SCDS, SDSO (all 31 dam-owning States have SDSOs).
What does the Act require?
- Surveillance, inspection, O&M, instrumentation, emergency action plans and funding for maintenance—on statutory timelines for dam owners.
Which statute governs specified dam safety?
- The Dam Safety Act, 2021 — surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of specified dams and an institutional mechanism to prevent dam-failure disasters.
Why does dam safety, DRIP and the Dam Safety Act, 2021 matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Disaster risk | Ageing dam portfolio. |
| Federal | State ownership with Union safety law. |
| Finance | DRIP II/III multi-year rehabilitation. |
What are the challenges in dam safety, DRIP and the Dam Safety Act, 2021?
- Sedimentation cuts storage (CWC sample: average 19% gross storage loss).
- Compliance and funding at State-owned dams remain uneven.
What should be done next on dam safety, DRIP and the Dam Safety Act, 2021?
- Finish DRIP II/III physical works.
- Keep DHARMA, EAPs and instrumentation current.
What can Prelims ask on dam safety, DRIP and the Dam Safety Act, 2021?
- 6,628 specified dams; Dam Safety Act, 2021.
- DRIP II+III ₹10,211 crore; 736 dams.
- DHARMA registration complete for all specified dams.
How to write about dam safety, DRIP and the Dam Safety Act, 2021 in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Discuss the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and DRIP as responses to India’s ageing dam stock.
- Intro: portfolio size/age.
- Act and institutions.
- DRIP phases.
- Sedimentation/climate.
- Way forward.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-15): india ranks 3rd in large dams with 6,628 specified dams; over 26% are more than 50 years old; DRIP is being implemented in phases; the Dam Safety Act, 2021 covers surveillance, inspection and maintenance.
- Ageing dams are a flood risk.
Quotable data pointIndia ranks 3rd in large dams with 6,628 specified dams.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: dam rehabilitation, 15 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: Dam Safety Act bodies.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
India's count of specified dams is
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 15 May 2026.
DRIP Phases II and III together cover how many dams?
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 15 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How many specified dams does India have?
6,628.
What is the DRIP II and III outlay?
₹10,211 crore.
When did the Dam Safety Act, 2021 come into force?
30 December 2021.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: dam rehabilitation, 15 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending