Section 26 - Dam Safety Act, 2021

The Dam Safety Act, 2021

26. Construction or alteration of dams.-

(1) Any construction or alteration of a specified dam shall be undertaken subject to investigation, design and construction being done by such agencies as may be accredited by the Authority or the State Government, as the case may be:

Provided that the Authority may disqualify any agency which violates any of the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder.

(2) Every agency referred to in sub-section (1) shall, for the purpose of designing or evaluating the safety of the specified dam, make use of the relevant standard codes and guidelines of the Bureau of Indian Standards, and furnish the reasons, if any departure is made in the design or dam safety evaluation.

(3) Every agency referred to in sub-section (1) shall for the purpose of investigation, design and construction employ such qualified, experienced and competent engineers, as may be specified by the regulations.

(4) Every agency referred to in sub-section (1) shall for the purpose of approval of dam design demonstrate the safety of the design, operational parameters and policies as per the provisions of relevant codes and guidelines to the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be.

(5) Every agency referred to in sub-section (1) shall, for the purpose of dam construction, undertake such quality control measures, as may be specified by the regulations.

(6) The construction of any specified dam or the alteration or enlargement of any existing specified dam shall be undertaken with the approval of such competent authority, as may be specified by notification by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be.