National Dam Safety Authority Reviews Dam Safety Preparedness and Act Implementation in Jharkhand
Distilled Policy Brief
- The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) reviewed the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and dam safety preparedness in Jharkhand during high-level meetings held in September 2026.
- The review focused on the Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE), formulation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), and Operation & Maintenance manuals to be uploaded on the 'DHARAM' portal.
- NDSA emphasized strengthening the state's institutional framework by restructuring the State Dam Safety Organization (SDSO) as a dedicated entity and allocating a separate budgetary head for dam safety.
🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points
The Dam Safety Act was enacted in 2021 to provide for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across India, establishing the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs).
⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages
Examine the challenges in implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021 across states, particularly concerning institutional capacity, dedicated funding, and adherence to maintenance protocols by diverse dam owners.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, consider the following statements: 1. The NDSA reviewed the progress of Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluations (CDSE) and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) to be uploaded on the 'DHARAM' portal. 2. The authority emphasized restructuring the State Dam Safety Organization (SDSO) as a dedicated entity rather than a committee-based arrangement, along with a separate budgetary head. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct based on the review meetings conducted by the NDSA regarding the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. The review explicitly covered CDSE status, formulation of EAPs to be uploaded on the 'DHARAM' portal, strengthening the institutional framework by making the SDSO a dedicated entity, and allocating a separate budgetary head for dam safety.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.