Dam Safety Act, 2021 (No. 41 of 2021).

The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides for maintenance and monitoring of dams and prevention of dam failure-related disasters in India. The Act consists of 11 Chapters: I. Preliminary; II. National Committee On Dam Safety; III. National Dam Safety Authority; IV. State Committee On Dam Safety; V. State Dam Safety Organisation; VI. Duties and Functions in Relation to Dam Safety; VII. Safety, Inspection and Data Collection; VIII. Emergency Action Plan and Disaster Management; IX. Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation; X. Offences and Penalties; XI. Miscellaneous.
The Act requires the Central Government to constitute the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). The NCDS will function under the Chairmanship of the Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC) to help evolve uniform dam safety policies, protocols and procedures. The NDSA will function as a regulating body for ensuring the nationwide implementation of dam safety policies and standards. The State Governments are to establish the State Committee On Dam Safety and State Dam Safety Organisation (SDSO). Every SDSO is required to keep perpetual surveillance, carry out inspections and monitor the operation and maintenance of dams under its jurisdiction. It must also report event of any dam failure to the NDSA.
The Act comprehensively addresses the critical dam safety concerns and key provisions include regular inspection of dams; hazard classification of dams; emergency action plan; comprehensive dam safety review by an independent panel; funds for timely repair and maintenance; operations and maintenance manual; record of incidents and failure; risk assessment study; dam instrumentation including hydro-meteorological and seismological network; accreditation of agencies; emergency flood warning system; and offences and penalty.