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Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project

Topics Covered: Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage.

Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project:

Context:

Cabinet approves Externally Aided Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project – Phase II and Phase III.

 Key points:

  • Financial Assistance is being provided by the World Bank (WB), and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
  • The Project will be implemented over a period of 10 years duration in two Phases, each of six years duration with two years overlapping from April, 2021 to March, 2031.

DRIP Phase II & Phase III envisages the following objectives:

  1. To improve the safety and performance of selected existing dams and associated appurtenances in a sustainable manner.
  2. To strengthen the dam safety institutional setup in participating states as well as at central level.
  3. To explore the alternative incidental means at few of selected dams to generate the incidental revenue for sustainable operation and maintenance of dams.

Need for the Scheme:

India ranks third globally after China and the United States of America, with 5334 large dams in operation. In addition, about 411 dams are under construction at present. There are also several thousand smaller dams.

  • Indian dams and reservoirs play an important role in the economic and agricultural growth of our country by storing approximately 300 billion cubic meter of water annually.
  • These dams present a major responsibility in terms of asset management and safety.
  • The consequences of dam failure can be catastrophic, in terms of loss of human life and property, and damage to ecology.

About DRIP:

The project was launched in 2012 by Central Water Commission (CWC) with assistance from World Bank.

The objectives of DRIP:

  1. To improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and associated appurtenances in a sustainable manner, and
  2. To strengthen the dam safety institutional setup of participating States / Implementing Agencies.

Phase 1 of the Project:

The first phase of the DRIP programme covered 223 dams in 7 states.

Facts for Prelims:

  • DHARMA (Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring) is a system to monitor the health of dams. At present, it is being used by 18 states.
  • A seismic hazard analysis information system (SHAISYS) has also been developed.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

  1. About DHARMA.
  2. What is SHAISYS?
  3. About DRIP.
  4. Implementation of the third phase and international financial assistance.

Mains Link:

Discuss the significance of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project.

Sources: PIB.