Jaipur, September 14-15, 2023: The International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS) 2023 in Jaipur commenced with an inaugural session followed by a Plenary session led by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti. The conference featured an array of presentations and discussions covering critical aspects of dam safety and management.
September 14, 2023: The Plenary session began with presentations on Government of India Initiatives on Dam Safety and Management, the Dam Safety Status of Maharashtra, Regulating Dam Safety in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW), Collaboration between Denmark & India on Water Management, Collaboration between Australia & India on Water Management, and World Bank Initiatives on Dam Management.
The second half of the day featured a technical session on “International & National Practices in Dam Safety Management & Governance,” with presentations on Dam Safety in the United States, NSW Dams Safety Regulation Framework, Best Practices for Dam Safety Management, Stakeholder Opportunities in Compliance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and Dam Safety Management Practices at Tehri Dam. Simultaneously, an industrial session focused on “Dam Health Assessment,” covering topics such as satellite-based dam volume estimation, geophysics for dam health assessment, weak zone identification using seismic tomography, instrumentation for dam safety, and more. The day concluded with a vibrant cultural program showcasing Rajasthan’s diverse dance forms.
September 15, 2023: The second day of the conference featured technical sessions on various themes. One session focused on “Best Practices on Dam Rehabilitation,” covering topics like Dam Rehabilitation Initiatives, Underwater Pointing and Grouting of Krishnarajasagar Dam, Curtain Grouting & Cut-Off Trench along Joshiyara Barrage, and Seepage Control Measures using Cementitious Grouting of Masonry Gravity Dams.
In parallel, another session addressed issues related to Reservoir Sediment Management, Knowledge Products for Sediment Management, Holistic Sediment Management, and experiences from Damodar Valley Corporation and Dhauliganga Power Station.
The afternoon sessions delved into “Operation, Maintenance & Emergency Management,” covering operational optimisation, reservoir guidance, emergency prediction using AIoT technologies, and the importance of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) studies. Concurrently, a session focused on “Lessons from Dam Failures & Dam Incidents” presented case studies of dam incidents and failures, providing valuable insights.
The following session on “Risk Assessment” explored risk-informed approaches, integrated risk management, risk assessment frameworks for Indian dams, and comprehensive risk assessments for specific dams.
An industrial session on “Dam Rehabilitation Technique and Material” showcased advancements in dam rehabilitation, including laboratory studies for cementitious grout mix design, underwater repair and rehabilitation, usage of synthetic geomembranes, and case studies of rehabilitation projects.
Shri Anand Mohan, Joint Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, summarized the conference outcomes and shared recommendations from the various sessions held over the two days.
The closing session, chaired by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, emphasised the significance of dam health and safety in future dam management. Action points were proposed, including workshops to discuss dam safety incidents and failures, collaboration with the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) for Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), analysis of construction design lacunae, and the development of a comprehensive strategy integrating conference outcomes for implementation.
The conference served as a platform for global expertise exchange and innovative approaches to address dam safety challenges, ultimately contributing to the safeguarding of dams worldwide.
