Dam Safety Measures For Dams Other Than Specified Dams Regulations, 2024

[08th January 2025]

PREAMBLE

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (s) of sub-section (2) read with section (1)of section 54 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021 (41 of 2021), the National Dam Safety Authority, on the recommendations of the National Committee on Dam Safety, hereby makes the following regulations, namely: -

Regulation 1. Short title and commencement.

 

(1)     This regulation may be called the Dam Safety Measures for Dams other than Specified Dams Regulations, 2024.

(2)     They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

Regulation 2. Definitions.

(1)     In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires, -

(a)      "Act" means the Dam Safety Act, 2021(41 of 2021);

(b)      "Authority" means the National Dam Safety Authority established under section 8 of the Act;

(c)      "section" means a section of the Act.

(2)     The words and expressions used herein and not defined in this regulation but defined in the Act, shall have the same meanings respectively, as assigned to them in the Act.

Regulation 3. Measures to be taken by owners for dams other than specified dams having a height less than three meters.

 

Every owner of the dam other than specified dam having a height less than three meters from the lowest portion of the general foundation area to the top of the Dam shall undertake following measures to ensure the safety of such dams namely; -

(i)       maintain the database of such damsin the proforma as specified in Schedule I;

(ii)      earmark sufficient and specific funds for maintenance and repairs of the dam other than the specified dams and implement the recommendations of the State Dam Safety Organisation;

(iii)     comply with the quality control measures as specified in regulation 3 of the Quality Control Measures for Dam Construction Regulations, 2024.

Regulation 4. Measures to be taken by owners of dams other than specified dams having height equal to or more than three meters.

 

Every owner of the dam other than specified dam having a height equal to or more than three meters above the lowest portion of the general foundation area to the top of the Dam shall undertake the following measures to ensure the safety of such dams namely; -

(a)      maintain the database of such dams in the proforma as specified in Schedule I;

(b)      carry out at least one inspection during a year, preferably between January and Mayin the following manner, namely:

(i)       every damother than Specified Earthen or Rockfill dam inspection shall be recorded in the Form as specified in Schedule II;

(ii)      every damother than Specified Concrete or Masonry dam inspection shall be recorded in the Form as specified in Schedule III;

(iii)     in addition to Schedule I orII, for every Dams other than specified dams having hydro-mechanical components, inspection shall also be recorded in the Form as specified in Schedule IV;

(iv)    a copy of the inspection report shall be forwarded to theState Dam Safety Organisation concerned;

(v)      the special inspections shall also be carried out immediately in case of any sign of distress or unusual behaviour is noticed in the dam, at any time;

(vi)    dam owner shall take remedial measures as per advice of technical experts received after the inspection;

(c)      earmark sufficient and specific funds for maintenance and repairs of the dams other than specified dams and implement the recommendations of the State Dam Safety organisation;

(d)      comply with the quality control measures as specified in regulation 3 of the Quality Control Measures for Dam Construction Regulations, 2024.

(e)      measures for new dams;-The dams, other than specified dams to be constructed after the commencement of this regulation, shall be designed as per the latest relevant Indian Standard specified by the Bureau of India standards under the Bureau of India Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016).

SCHEDULE I

[See regulation 3(i) and 4 (a)]

Salient Features of Dams other than specified dams

(1)     Unique ID of the Dam:

(2)     Name of the Dam:

(3)     Dam Owner:

(4)     Type of Dam:

(5)     Maximum Height of Dam (from the lowest portion of the general foundation area to the top of the dam):

(6)     Length of Dam:

(7)     Location (Latitude and Longitude):

(8)     Nearest City or Town:

(9)     District:

(10)   State:

(11)   Year of Construction:

(12)   Name of Stream, River:

(13)   Purpose of Dam (Irrigation or Drinking water supply or Other):

(14)   Designed Spillway Capacity (Cubic Meter Per Second):

SCHEDULE II

[See regulation 4 (b)(i)]

Inspection Form for a Dam other than Specified Earthen or Rockfill Dam (having height equal to or more than three meters)

Dam Name: Dam ID

Inspection Date: Type of Inspections:

Name of head of the team: Other Participants:

Was the spillway flowing? If yes, what was the water depth over the spillway sill?

If no, how far was the water below the spillway sill level?

Was the low-level outlet open? If yes, what was the approximate discharge rate?

Table-1

Comment on any problems, concerns or deficiencies found:

Note:

(1)     In case of any “Yes” for current inspection in Table-1, the project authority shall take remedial measures as per advice of technical experts.

(2)     In case of any “Yes” for both current and previous inspection in Table-1, the matter should immediately be referred to the highest level of said project for further necessary action for the safety of the dam.

Signature

SCHEDULE III

[See regulation 4 (b)(ii)]

Inspection Form for a Dam other than Specified Concrete or Masonry Dam (having height equal to or more than three meters)

Dam Name: Dam ID

Inspection Date: Type of Inspection

Name of head of the team: Other Participants:

Was the spillway flowing? If yes, what was the water depth over the spillway sill?

If no, how far was the water below the spillway sill level?

Was the low-level outlet open? If yes, what was the approximate discharge rate?

Table-1

Table-2

Were any of the following POTENTIAL PROBLEM INDICATORS found?

Comment on any problems, concerns or deficiencies found:

 

Note:-

(1)     In case of any "Yes" for current inspection, the project authority shall take remedial measures as per advice of technical experts.

(2)     In case of any "Yes" for both current and previous inspection, the matter should immediately be referred to the highest level of said project for further necessary action for the safety of the dam.

Signature

SCHEDULE IV

[See regulation 4(b)(iii)]

Inspection Format for Hydro-Mechanical Components in Dams:

(1)     Is the Gate operation smooth and trouble-free without much noise? Y/N

(2)     Is there excessive vibration in gate and structure during operation? Y/N

(3)     If yes, at what gate opening and water level --------

(4)     Is Stoplog or Bulkhead or maintenance gate available? Y/N

(5)     Is Diesel Generator set or power backup available at dam sites for gate operation? Y/N

(6)     Is the painting of gates and hoists satisfactory? Y/N

 

Whether Condition of below mentioned Hydro-Mechanical components is UNSATISFACTORY?

Note: Add separate sheet of this, if required, to cover other Gate Structures on the Dam, like Intake Gates, Valves, etc.

 

Additional Comments:

(1)     In case of any "Yes" for current inspection, the project authority shall take remedial measures as per advice of technical experts.

(2)     In case of any "Yes" for both current and previous inspection, the matter should immediately be referred to the highest level of said project for further necessary action for the safety of the dam.