12th Meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was held on July 17, 2026 under the Chairmanship of Chairman Central Water Commission, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi. The meeting was attended by official members of ten central ministries/departments, seven States, two dam safety experts in addition to all Head of State Dam Safety Organisations and other special invitees.
In the inaugural remarks, the Chairman, NCDS highlighted the significant progress made in implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021 through the notification of regulations, issuance of technical guidelines, and development of key dam safety documents, while stressing the need to expedite critical activities such as Emergency Action Plans, Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluations, O&M Manuals, and Risk Assessment studies etc. The Chair also emphasised addressing emerging challenges related to reservoir sedimentation and dam surveillance and security, strengthening State Dam Safety Organisations, and ensuring timely implementation of the Act through constructive deliberations on the agenda items.
Detailed technical presentations were also made before the Committee on recent dam failures by concerned dam owners which include Luti Tank and Rajadera dam failures by Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department, Teesta Stage-III dam failure by Sikkim Urja Limited, Madhopur barrage failure by Punjab Water Resources Department, and ongoing reservoir dredging activities being undertaken at Bisalpur Dam by Rajasthan Water Grid Corporation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman requested all the States to expedite the mandatory compliances especially comprehensive dam safety evaluation, preparation of emergency action plan and risk assessment study of every specified dams within the stipulated statutory deadlines (i.e. Upto December 2026).
