1. Introduction
In line with the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was established to serve as the apex advisory and policy-making body on dam safety in India. Given the increasing risks associated with aging dams, seismic sensitivity, and climate variability, the NCDS plays a pivotal role in shaping the country's dam safety framework.
2. Establishment and Composition of NCDS
The NCDS is constituted by the Central Government under Section 6 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, and is chaired by the Chairperson of the Central Water Commission (CWC).
Composition Includes:
- Chairperson: Head of CWC
Representatives from:
- Ministry of Power
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
- Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS)
- Geological Survey of India (GSI)
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Indian Institute of Technology (IITs)
- State Governments (on a rotational basis)
- Dam owners (public sector undertakings)
This diverse composition ensures a multidisciplinary approach to dam safety involving civil engineering, hydrology, geology, and risk management.
3. Functions and Powers of NCDS
The NCDS functions as a policy advisory and regulatory body, and its key responsibilities include:
- Formulating national policies and regulations on dam safety standards.
- Developing and updating guidelines for dam design, inspection, maintenance, and instrumentation.
- Reviewing and recommending emergency action planning protocols and early warning systems.
- Advising on institutional and technical capacity building of State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs).
- Evaluating research proposals and encouraging innovations in dam safety.
It does not enforce laws directly but influences implementation through standards and guidance.
4. Role in Evolving Dam Safety Policies and Procedures
The NCDS is instrumental in:
- Standardizing dam classification and inspection protocols across states.
- Promoting risk-based approaches to dam surveillance and rehabilitation.
- Creating frameworks for integrated dam safety management, incorporating hydrological, structural, and operational risks.
- Updating guidelines to reflect climate resilience, especially related to Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) and seismic safety criteria.
Its recommendations form the basis for technical manuals, training programs, and safety compliance criteria used nationally.
5. Interaction with Other Institutions
The NCDS operates in close coordination with:
- National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): Translates NCDS policies into enforceable practices and supervises state-level implementation.
- State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDS): Receive guidance from NCDS for local application.
- Academic and research institutes: Collaborate on technical studies and tool development.
- International organizations: Facilitates exchange of best practices through ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams) and bilateral partnerships.
This ecosystem approach ensures vertical integration from national policymaking to local execution.
6. Challenges and Effectiveness
Challenges
- Coordination across jurisdictions: India’s federal structure makes uniform implementation complex.
- Legacy infrastructure: Many dams lack instrumentation and documentation, complicating compliance.
- Limited state capacity: Some SDSOs face staff and budget shortages.
- Data standardization: Variations in inspection formats and safety ratings hinder national aggregation.
Effectiveness
Despite these challenges, NCDS has:
- Successfully pushed for mandatory safety documentation (e.g., O&M manuals, EAPs).
- Enabled training programs and knowledge dissemination via the CWC and IITs.
- Laid the groundwork for data digitization and geospatial mapping of large dams.
- Triggered modernization of monitoring systems using remote sensing and telemetry.
7. Conclusion
The National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) is a cornerstone of India's evolving dam safety regime. Its advisory, technical, and coordination functions ensure that dam safety is not merely reactive but a proactive and systemic process. As climate risks and water demand intensify, NCDS will be pivotal in reinforcing India’s resilience through sound engineering policies, strategic oversight, and institutional capacity building.
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