223 dams identified for structural intervention: Sanwar Lal Jat

NEW DELHI: The government today said 223 dams have been identified in four states for structural intervention and preparations were on for an emergency action plan.

The central government "is implementing the 'dam rehabilitation and improvement project' with World Bank assistance, under which 223 dams have been identified for rehabilitation in the states of Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu," Minister of State for Water Resource Sanwar Lal Jat told Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, he said under the project, apart from structural intervention, non-structural intervention like emergency action plan would also be developed for these dams.

The need for having an emergency action plan for large dams has been emphasised by the National Committee on Dam Safety to the states.

As per information with the Central Water Commission, so far nineteen states have prepared emergency action plans for a number of dams under them.

In a separate reply, the Minister said the National Ganga River Basin Authority ( NGRBA) has been mandated for determination and maintenance of minimum ecologial flow of water when developing river projects, including hydroelectric projects.

NGRBA is the apex body for Ganga rejuvination facilitating a collaborative mechanism among ministries as well as states.