Dams are crucial for development of India but they can become a safety hazard too. In the light of above statement, discuss the potential of Dam rehabilitation and improvement project to address the challenges pertaining to Dam safety in India.

A UN report recently highlighted that at least 50% of Dams in India will be more than 50 years old by 2040, necessitating ensuring dam safety through retro fittings, modifications, rehabilitation and improvement.

Challenges pertaining to Dam safety in India:

• India has more than 5000 large dams, with some as old as 100 years and constructed during the British period. E.g. Mullaperiyar Dam in 1921.
• Dams are considered a safety hazard beyond 75-80 years.
• Weakening of structural rigidity and integrity of dams.
• Siltation and lowering flood water capacity of various dams.
• Danger of breach of stored water, inundating surrounding areas and causing loss of life and property.
• Politicization of issue of dam rehabilitation, e.g. disagreement between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over Mullaperiyar dam.
• Lack of capacity building and training – dam engineers, workers, etc.

Dam rehabilitation and improvement project (DRIP):

• DRIP is a project for improving dam safety in India.
• It comprises two phases, with modification of 221 dams in phase I and phase II to be implemented over the next 10 years with the 736 times identified.
• World Bank to provide credit support to India.
• Can help in ensuring timely rehabilitation of old dams.

Success of a DRIP hinges on providing adequate high skilled workforce and understanding that dam decommissioning is as important as dam building.