Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Vice President inaugurates ICDS 2023 in the august presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri D. K Shiv Kumar, Deputy CM Karnataka, Shri Manik Saha, Hon’ble CM of Tripura, Shri Mahendra Jeet S Malviya, Water Resources Minister Rajasthan, Smt Usha Sharma, Chief Secretary Rajasthan, Shri Pankaj Kumar, IAS, Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
WD: On September 14, the esteemed Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, inaugurated the International Conference titled “Safe & Secure Dams Ensure Nation’s Prosperity”. This prominent event was graced by the presence of notable figures including Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti; Shri D. K Shiv Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka; Shri Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura; Shri Mahendra Jeet S Malviya, Water Resources Minister of Rajasthan; Smt Usha Sharma, Chief Secretary of Rajasthan; and Shri Pankaj Kumar, IAS, Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti. The conference was held at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur.
This two-day event, orchestrated by the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, has convened global experts and leaders to foster collaborative efforts in enhancing dam safety.
The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar
In his address, Shri Dhankhar underscored dam safety as a pivotal national security issue. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, he emphasized the conference’s unique position in bringing together diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and international experts. He advocated for a comprehensive approach to ensure a water-secure future.
Additionally, Shri Dhankhar launched the ‘Pani Ki Rail’, two trains – the Himsagar Express and the Kamakhya Express – designed to amplify the message of water conservation, river rejuvenation, and the significance of clean drinking water and sanitation, unveiled National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) and inaugurated an exhibition organised at the venue for display/exposition of products, charts, banners and photographs showcasing the latest developments, technologies and solutions in various areas of dam safety.
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat extolled the Dam Safety Act 2021, elucidating how dams have been instrumental in India’s water management, electricity generation, and flood control. He heralded the Act as a marker of a new era. He also inaugurated the National Centre for Earthquake Safety at MNIT Jaipur.
Shri Pankaj Kumar, IAS, Secretary, DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti
Shri Pankaj Kumar, emphasizing the Dam Safety Act 2021, articulated the pivotal role of dams in India’s economic development and the country’s dedication to sustainable dam infrastructure.
The conference was further graced by the central and state bureaucrats, technocrats, and a delegation of 800, comprising academicians, officials from the World Bank, representatives from foreign countries, public and private sectors, and other dam proprietors. The event also welcomed approximately 40 international delegates from 15 countries.
