Dam Safety Act, 2021: NDSA ensures public safety through compliance at Bargi Dam

Key facts

• The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), under the Union government’s Jal Shakti Ministry, has issued a stern show-cause notice to the Bhopal-based Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) regarding the safety of the Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
• The notice alleges non-compliance with the statutory provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, stating that the operation and maintenance of the Bargi Dam poses a potential threat to public safety and downstream populations.
• The NDSA warned that legal action may be initiated under Sections 41 and 42 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which include penal provisions for responsible officials if mandatory provisions are not followed.
• The Dam Safety Act, 2021 mandates regular inspections, risk assessments, emergency action plans, and modern monitoring systems for all designated dams in the country.
• The NVDA has 30 days to respond to the show-cause notice regarding persistent leakage and inadequate monitoring systems at the dam.