Skip to main content

The Dam Safety Act, 2021

Central

An Act to provide for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of the specified dam for prevention of dam failure related disasters and to provide for institutional mechanism to ensure their safe functioning and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Act number
41 of 2021
Ministry
Ministry of Jal Shaktri
Department
Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Enacted
13 Dec 2021

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

56 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. Section 2Declaration as to expediency of Union control.
  3. Section 3Application.
  4. Section 4Definitions.
  5. Section 5Constitution of National Committee..
  6. Section 6Functions of National Committee.
  7. Section 7Meetings of National Committee.
  8. Section 8Establishment of National Dam Safety Authority.
  9. Section 9Functions of Authority.
  10. Section 10Officers and Employees of Authority.
  11. Section 11Constitution of State Committee on Dam Safety.
  12. Section 12Functions of State Committee.
  13. Section 13Meetings of State Committee.
  14. Section 14Establishment of State Dam Safety Organisation.
  15. Section 15Officers and employees of State Dam Safety Organisation.
  16. Section 16Surveillance and inspection.
  17. Section 17Vulnerability and hazard classification of dams.
  18. Section 18Maintenance of log books.
  19. Section 19Records of dam failures and dam incidents.
  20. Section 20Instructions on safety of specified dams.
  21. Section 21Funds for maintenance and repairs.
  22. Section 22Technical documentation.
  23. Section 23Qualifications and experience of individuals responsible for safety of specified dams.
  24. Section 24Jurisdiction of State Dam Safety Organisation and Authority.
  25. Section 25Cost of investigation.
  26. Section 26Construction or alteration of dams.
  27. Section 27Initial filling of reservoirs.
  28. Section 28Operation and maintenance.
  29. Section 29Responsibility of owner of specified dam.
  30. Section 30Dam safety unit.
  31. Section 31Inspection.
  32. Section 32Instrumentations to be installed in every specified dam.
  33. Section 33Establishment of hydro-meteorological station.
  34. Section 34Installations of seismological station.
  35. Section 35Obligation of owner of specified dam.
  36. Section 36Emergency action plan.
  37. Section 37Assistance to other disaster management authorities.
  38. Section 38Comprehensive dam safety evaluation.
  39. Section 39Compulsory evaluation in certain cases.
  40. Section 40Reports of comprehensive evaluation.
  41. Section 41Punishment for obstruction, etc.
  42. Section 42Offences by Departments of Government.
  43. Section 43Offence by companies.
  44. Section 44Cognizance of offences.
  45. Section 45Annual report of safety status of specified dam.
  46. Section 46Safety measures in respect of dams other than specified dams.
  47. Section 47Safety measures in respect of dams located outside territory of India.
  48. Section 48Act to have overriding effect.
  49. Section 49Power to amend Schedules.
  50. Section 50Power of Central Government to give directions.
  51. Section 51Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of National Committee on Dam Safety Authority and State Committee on Dam Safety.
  52. Section 52Power of Central Government to make rules.
  53. Section 53Power of State Government to make rules.
  54. Section 54Power to make regulations by Authority.
  55. Section 55Rules and regulations to be laid before Parliament.
  56. Section 56Power to remove difficulties.