India possesses the third-largest portfolio of large dams globally, managing 6,628 specified dams. Of these, 6,545 are fully operational, while 83 remain under construction. Together, they yield a gross water storage capacity of approximately 330 billion cubic meters, underpinning national water, food, and energy security through irrigation, flood moderation, and hydropower generation. The ownership of these assets rests predominantly with public entities; state governments own 98.5% (6,448 dams), followed by Central Public Sector Undertakings at 0.7%, private entities at 0.6%, and the Central Government at 0.2%. Geographically, Maharashtra holds the highest concentration of specified dams, followed by states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
However, the portfolio faces a significant aging challenge. Approximately 26% (1,681 dams) are over 50 years old, including 291 structures that exceed a century of existence. An additional 42% fall within the 25-to-50-year range. This structural aging, alongside sedimentation and climate variability, impacts operational capacity. Data from the Central Water Commission analyzing 439 reservoirs reveals an average 19% loss in gross storage capacity, with an estimated annual capacity loss of 0.74% per reservoir.
The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
To counter structural deterioration, the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) were introduced as a multi-phase structural and operational modernization initiative. Phase I, executed between April 2012 and 2021 with World Bank backing, targeted 223 dams across seven states. It focused on physical modernizations, establishing Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), institutional capacity building, and launching the digital platform DHARMA (Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application).
Phases II and III commenced in October 2021 with co-financing from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). This 10-year initiative features a total budget layout of ₹10,211 crore, split nearly equally between both phases. It covers 736 dams across 19 states and three central agencies, including critical infrastructures like the Bhakra and Nagarjuna Sagar dams. Up to March 2025, cumulative expenditures reached ₹2,225 crore, completing major physical rehabilitation across 43 dams. The ongoing phases focus on physical restoration, state and central institutional strengthening, sustainable operations revenue generation, and project management.
Regulatory and Monitoring Frameworks
The legislative backbone of this management strategy is the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which established statutory obligations and clear compliance timelines for dam owners regarding surveillance, inspection, and maintenance. The Act implements a four-tier institutional hierarchy: the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) handles macro-policy; the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) serves as the regulatory arm; and State Committees (SCDS) alongside State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSO) oversee local compliance. All 31 dam-owning states have established functional SDSOs.
To support enforcement, digital and physical tools have been introduced. All 6,628 specified dams are now registered on the DHARMA platform for digital record-keeping, and rapid risk screening has been finalized for 5,553 dams. Furthermore, 13,000 annual digital inspections are mandated. Under current guidelines, dams undergo pre- and post-monsoon evaluations and are classified into Categories I (critical deficiencies), II (major deficiencies), or III (minor/no deficiencies). The 2025 post-monsoon inspections categorized 3 dams under Category I and 188 under Category II, prompting time-bound remedial actions. Non-compliance with directions under Chapter X of the Act carries penalties ranging from one to two years of imprisonment, fines, or both, particularly if neglect leads to a loss of life.
Reference:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2261335®=3&lang=2