Government extends timeline of Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project

The meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has revised cost and deadline of World Bank funded Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP) to Rs.3466 Crore till June 2020. The meeting was held under Chairpersonship of Secretary, Department of Expenditure to consider proposal of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. It was attended by officials of Ministries of Power, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Environment and Forest, NITI Aayog and officers of Central Water Commission (CWC).

Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP)

DRIP is a state sector scheme with central component to improve safety and operational performance of selected dams, along with institutional strengthening with system wide management approach. The project was launched in 2012 by Central Water Commission (CWC) under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation with assistance from World Bank. Originally the scheme was scheduled for six years with closure in June 2018 with total original cost of Rs. 2100 crore with state component of Rs. 1968 crore and central component of Rs. 132 Crore.

Objectives of DRIP

• Rehabilitation of old dams in country experiencing distress and are in need of attention for ensuring their structural safety and operational efficiency.
• Strengthening institutional capacity and project management in this area.
• Bring greater awareness on dam safety issues and finding novel solutions to address them by pooling best knowledge, technologies and experience available around world.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2018