India & World Bank sign $250 million project to make existing dams safe and resilient
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To enhance water security and support sustainable development in the country, the Government of India, the Central Water Commission, representatives of 10 participating states and the World Bank on Wednesday signed a $250 million project for a long-term dam safety programme and improving the safety and performance of existing dams across various states.
The Second Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-2) will strengthen dam safety by creating dam safety guidelines, bringing global experience and introducing innovative technologies.
Another major innovation envisaged under the project, which is likely to transform dam safety management, is the introduction of a risk-based approach to dam asset management that will help effectively allocate financial resources for priority dam safety needs.
Project will be implemented in 120 dams
The project will be implemented in about 120 dams in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu and through CWC at the national level. Other states or agencies may be involved in the project during project implementation.
The agreement was signed by the Additional Secretary, Economic Affairs, on behalf of the Centre, representatives of the Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu governments, and the World Bank’s Country Director Junaid Ahmad.
DRIP-1 project includes $341 million financing
The World Bank’s support for dam safety in India includes the recently closed DRIP-1 ($279 million + $62 million additional financing), which has contributed to the safety and sustainable performance of 223 dams across six states and one central agency in India.
Other important measures that DRIP-2 support
Other important measures that DRIP-2 will support include flood forecasting systems and integrated reservoir operations that will contribute to building climate resilience, the preparation and implementation of an emergency action plan to prepare vulnerable downstream communities for potential negative impacts and risks of climate change and to increase resilience, and to conduct complementary revenue generation schemes such as floating solar panels.
