Vice President to Inaugurate International Dam Safety Conference

The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar will inaugurate the International Conference on the theme “Safe & Secure Dams Ensure Nation’s Prosperity" organised by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti at Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur on 14^th September, 2023, where the world's foremost experts and leaders in the field will assemble to strengthen capacities for enhancing dam safety. In line with this objective, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will inaugurate the National Centre for Earthquake Safety, at MNIT Jaipur tomorrow ahead of the international conference. One of the highlights of the inaugural session will be the flagging off of the Vinyl-Wrapped ‘Pani Ki Rail’ i.e., two prominent trains, namely, the Himsagar Express & the Kamakhya Express that will serve as a moving billboard for promoting the vital message of water conservation & management, river rejuvenation, and the importance of potable drinking water & improved sanitation. This novel initiative led by the National Water Mission under Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways.

Addressing a press conference in Jaipur today, key insights were shared on the upcoming discussions, technological advancements, and the future trajectory of dam safety in India. Ms. Ritu Shukla, ADG, PIB, Jaipur conducted the press conference with Mr. Anand Mohan, JS (PP) MoJS; Mr. Vijay Saran, CE, DSO, CWC & PD DRIP; Mr. S.K. Sibal, Member (D&RE), CWC & Chairman NDSA; and Mr. Ravi Solanki, CE WRD, Rajasthan. Mr. Anand Mohan, JS (PP) MoJS spoke about the key aspects of Dam Safety Act of 2021 which intends to enhance dam safety awareness and understanding among states.

Reflecting on the lessons learnt from Macchu Dam, Mr. S.K. Sibal, Member (D&RE), CWC & Chairman NDSA, emphasised the formation of regulatory institutions like NDSA, NCDS, SDSO, and SCDS. Their primary objective is to maintain a uniform set of dam safety protocols.

Mr. Vijay Saran, CE, DSO, CWC & PD DRIP, elaborated on NDSA's role as a regulatory institution, emphasizing on the urgency to prioritize maintenance & safety of dams in critical condition. Capacity Building of all the dam owners is one of the major things which needs to be done and for this the international participation plays an important role. The conference will witness the participation from about 15 countries. He also spoke about the collaboration at National level and highlighted the formation of Centre of Excellence at IIT Roorkee & IISc Bengaluru. He also spoke about formation of National Centre for Earthquake Safety, at MNIT Jaipur which will be inaugurated tomorrow.

The International Conference on Dam Safety is testament to India's commitment to ensuring the safety and longevity of its dams. As these structures play a pivotal role in ensuring prosperity of India, such initiatives underline the importance of collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and technological advancements in the realm of dam safety. The collective vision shared by the experts and leaders at the conference is bound to inspire confidence and positivity, ensuring a safer and prosperous future for all.