The story so far: The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that the 2021 Dam Safety Act provided for everything, other than how to “settle political scores”, to resolve inter-State disputes over dams. The observation was made while hearing a case on the Mullaperiyar dam. A Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar wanted to know whether the dam would be the first to be handled under the law.
What does the law seek to do?
Debated for decades, the law, which came into force in December, is aimed at addressing the long-felt need for addressing issues concerning the safety of major dams all over the country. It provides for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of certain dams for prevention of disasters related to dam failure, apart from institutional mechanisms to ensure their safe functioning. The Act covers those dams having a height of over 15m and between 10m and 15m with certain stipulations. It seeks to create two national institutions—National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) to evolve dam safety policies and recommend necessary regulations, and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) to implement policies and address unresolved issues between the two States. The NDSA will be the regulatory body. The legislation also envisages the formation of State Dam Safety Organisations and State Committees on Dam Safety. Dam owners will be held responsible for construction, operation, maintenance, and supervision of dams.
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