A team of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), led by Shri Saurabh Agrawal, Member (Administration & Finance), NDSA, comprising Shri Manoj Kumar, Senior Joint Commissioner, Department of Water Resources, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Shri Amitabh Meena, Director (Technical), NDSA, held a meeting with the Secretary, Water Resources Department, Government of Jharkhand, on September 8, 2026, to review the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and the status of dam safety activities in the State.

The meeting was attended by the Head of the State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO) and representatives of dam owners from the Water Resources Department, Energy Department and Drinking Water & Sanitation Department (DW&SD) of Jharkhand.

The status of Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE) of specified dams in Jharkhand was reviewed. NDSA emphasised the need for expeditious constitution of the Independent Panel of Experts (IPoE), timely completion of dam visits and submission of CDSE reports to the Authority. The State was also requested to prepare and furnish a dam-wise action plan for completion of CDSE within the prescribed timeline.

The meeting also reviewed the status of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manuals. Instructions were issued for their timely preparation and subsequent uploading on the DHARMA Portal. The inspection status of Category-II dams was also reviewed and a time bound action plan for rehabilitation of such dams was sought.

NDSA emphasised strengthening of the State's institutional framework for dam safety, including reconstitution of the SDSO as a dedicated organisation rather than a committee-based arrangement. The need for operationalisation of a separate budget head for dam safety and appropriate allocation and utilisation of funds was also emphasised. Capacity-building programmes for dam owners and SDSO personnel were highlighted as an important requirement for strengthening dam safety preparedness in the State.

The importance of timely laying of the SDSO Report before the State Legislature, as required under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, was also emphasised. Representatives of the Energy Department and DW&SD were advised to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021 applicable to dam owners under their respective jurisdictions.

The dam owner of Nalkari Dam (Patratu), under the Energy Department, was specifically directed to constitute a Dam Safety Unit (DSU) and undertake pre-monsoon and post-monsoon inspections in accordance with the applicable dam safety regulations.

The Secretary, Water Resources Department, assured the Authority that necessary action would be taken for time bound implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. He directed Head SDSO Jharkhand to prepare a dam wise action plan covering CDSE, EAPs and rehabilitation of Category-II dams and furnish the same to NDSA.

As part of the field level review, the NDSA team visited Nalkari Dam on September 8, 2026 and Latratu Dam, a Category-II dam under the Water Resources Department, on September 9, 2026. The team reviewed the safety aspects and preparedness at the dams. Necessary instructions were issued to the concerned dam in-charges for rectification of deficiencies observed during the visits.

The review reflects NDSA's continued efforts towards strengthening dam safety governance, ensuring compliance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and promoting timely preventive and rehabilitative measures for ensuring the safety of dams and downstream communities in the country.

***

ND/HM

(Release ID: 2310588) Visitor Counter : 273