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Only four States have shown interest in seeking financial assistance under the World Bank's Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).
“Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa and Tamil Nadu have evinced interest in implementing the project,” said Mr A.K. Bajaj, Chairman and ex-officio-secretary Central Water Commission (CWC).
11 States
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal had shown interest, and subsequently Madhya Pradesh and Orissa joined it. “But now, only four have come forward in initiating it,” Mr Bajaj added.
Improvements
As part of the project, rehabilitation and physical improvements of dams, strengthening institutional capacity of States and Centre for sustainable dam operation, and maintenance and monitoring of dam safety would be taken up.
The CWC is currently evaluating project proposals submitted by these four States.
Project evaluation
“For improving rehabilitation and physical improvements of dams, States are working on project proposals with our assistance and currently, only Tamil Nadu has come forward with a concrete proposal,” Mr Bajaj told Business Line .
“At present, we are closely working with Tamil Nadu and they have submitted proposals for 20 projects with works valued around Rs 50 crore,” he added.
DRIP is a six-year project commencing from January 2011. The project in four States plans to cover 223 large dams with a need for rehabilitation and improvements.
Need for action
According to CWC statistics,there are 4,711 large dams completed and another 390 dams are under construction in the country. Some of these have supported for economic stability in the worst years of drought, floods and cyclones.
Out of these, 3,750 (79.6 per cent) dams are more than 20 years old.
Many large dams are ageing and have various structural deficiencies and shortcomings in operation and monitoring facilities. Few of them do not meet the current design standards – both structurally and hydrologically.
“Since increasing number of dams fall in this category, they need rehabilitation. Keeping this in mind, we have initiated this through the help of World Bank,” said Mr Bajaj.
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