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2 minAct/Law
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Concepts
  4. /
  5. Act/Law
  6. /
  7. National Dam Safety Act, 2021
Act/Law

National Dam Safety Act, 2021

What is National Dam Safety Act, 2021?

The National Dam Safety Act, 2021 is a parliamentary law enacted to provide for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across India, and for the prevention of dam failure related disasters. It aims to ensure the structural integrity and operational safety of dams.

Historical Background

Key Provisions & Scope of National Dam Safety Act, 2021

This mind map illustrates the core components, objectives, and institutional framework established by the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, crucial for understanding its impact on dam safety in India.

2 minAct/Law
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Concepts
  4. /
  5. Act/Law
  6. /
  7. National Dam Safety Act, 2021
Act/Law

National Dam Safety Act, 2021

What is National Dam Safety Act, 2021?

The National Dam Safety Act, 2021 is a parliamentary law enacted to provide for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across India, and for the prevention of dam failure related disasters. It aims to ensure the structural integrity and operational safety of dams.

Historical Background

Key Provisions & Scope of National Dam Safety Act, 2021

This mind map illustrates the core components, objectives, and institutional framework established by the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, crucial for understanding its impact on dam safety in India.

National Dam Safety Act, 2021

Structural Integrity & Operational Safety

Prevention of Dam Failures

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs)

Dams > 15m height

Dams 10-15m with certain design features

Regular Inspections & Surveillance

Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

Investigation of Dam Failures

Entry 56, Union List (Inter-State Rivers)

Entry 23, Concurrent List (Social Security)

Connections
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Objectives
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Key Institutions
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Scope of Application
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Core Provisions
+3 more
National Dam Safety Act, 2021

Structural Integrity & Operational Safety

Prevention of Dam Failures

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)

State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs)

Dams > 15m height

Dams 10-15m with certain design features

Regular Inspections & Surveillance

Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

Investigation of Dam Failures

Entry 56, Union List (Inter-State Rivers)

Entry 23, Concurrent List (Social Security)

Connections
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Objectives
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Key Institutions
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Scope of Application
National Dam Safety Act, 2021→Core Provisions
+3 more
The need for a central law on dam safety arose due to the increasing number of dams, their aging infrastructure, and the potential for catastrophic failures. Previous attempts to introduce a dam safety bill were made in 2010 and 2019. The Act was finally passed in 2021 to establish a uniform national framework for dam safety, addressing concerns over inter-state river issues and the lack of a comprehensive legal mechanism.

Key Points

9 points
  • 1.

    Establishes the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) as a regulatory body at the central level.

  • 2.

    Mandates the establishment of State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs) by state governments.

  • 3.

    Applies to all specified dams dams with height more than 15 meters or between 10-15 meters with certain design features.

  • 4.

    Requires dam owners to conduct regular inspections, prepare emergency action plans, and carry out risk assessments.

  • 5.

    Empowers NDSA to inspect dams, investigate dam failures, and recommend remedial measures.

  • 6.

    Provides for offences and penalties for non-compliance with the Act's provisions.

  • 7.

    Aims to resolve inter-state issues related to dam safety and ensure uniform safety standards.

  • 8.

    Focuses on prevention, mitigation, and preparedness for dam-related disasters.

  • 9.

    Promotes research and development in dam safety engineering and technology.

Visual Insights

Key Provisions & Scope of National Dam Safety Act, 2021

This mind map illustrates the core components, objectives, and institutional framework established by the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, crucial for understanding its impact on dam safety in India.

National Dam Safety Act, 2021

  • ●Objectives
  • ●Key Institutions
  • ●Scope of Application
  • ●Core Provisions
  • ●Legal Basis (Constitutional)

Related Concepts

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)Statutory BodyDisaster Management Framework

Source Topic

National Dam Safety Authority Seeks Chairman to Bolster Dam Safety Governance

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Crucial for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Polity & Governance - Government policies and interventions) and GS Paper 3 (Disaster Management, Infrastructure, Water Resources). Frequently asked in Prelims (Act's provisions, bodies established) and Mains (significance, challenges in implementation, role in disaster management).

On This Page

DefinitionHistorical BackgroundKey PointsVisual InsightsRelated ConceptsUPSC RelevanceSource Topic

Source Topic

National Dam Safety Authority Seeks Chairman to Bolster Dam Safety GovernancePolity & Governance

Related Concepts

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)Statutory BodyDisaster Management Framework
The need for a central law on dam safety arose due to the increasing number of dams, their aging infrastructure, and the potential for catastrophic failures. Previous attempts to introduce a dam safety bill were made in 2010 and 2019. The Act was finally passed in 2021 to establish a uniform national framework for dam safety, addressing concerns over inter-state river issues and the lack of a comprehensive legal mechanism.

Key Points

9 points
  • 1.

    Establishes the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) as a regulatory body at the central level.

  • 2.

    Mandates the establishment of State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSOs) by state governments.

  • 3.

    Applies to all specified dams dams with height more than 15 meters or between 10-15 meters with certain design features.

  • 4.

    Requires dam owners to conduct regular inspections, prepare emergency action plans, and carry out risk assessments.

  • 5.

    Empowers NDSA to inspect dams, investigate dam failures, and recommend remedial measures.

  • 6.

    Provides for offences and penalties for non-compliance with the Act's provisions.

  • 7.

    Aims to resolve inter-state issues related to dam safety and ensure uniform safety standards.

  • 8.

    Focuses on prevention, mitigation, and preparedness for dam-related disasters.

  • 9.

    Promotes research and development in dam safety engineering and technology.

Visual Insights

Key Provisions & Scope of National Dam Safety Act, 2021

This mind map illustrates the core components, objectives, and institutional framework established by the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, crucial for understanding its impact on dam safety in India.

National Dam Safety Act, 2021

  • ●Objectives
  • ●Key Institutions
  • ●Scope of Application
  • ●Core Provisions
  • ●Legal Basis (Constitutional)

Related Concepts

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)Statutory BodyDisaster Management Framework

Source Topic

National Dam Safety Authority Seeks Chairman to Bolster Dam Safety Governance

Polity & Governance

UPSC Relevance

Crucial for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Polity & Governance - Government policies and interventions) and GS Paper 3 (Disaster Management, Infrastructure, Water Resources). Frequently asked in Prelims (Act's provisions, bodies established) and Mains (significance, challenges in implementation, role in disaster management).

On This Page

DefinitionHistorical BackgroundKey PointsVisual InsightsRelated ConceptsUPSC RelevanceSource Topic

Source Topic

National Dam Safety Authority Seeks Chairman to Bolster Dam Safety GovernancePolity & Governance

Related Concepts

National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)Statutory BodyDisaster Management Framework