Securing India's dams

DRIP will ensure a critical aspect of national security and sovereignty - the safety of dams and protection of water sources.

Dams have been at the centre of Indian life for serveral decades and a part of the faith since eons. when the celestial Ganga came crashing onto earth, its ferocity would have broken the planet into smithereens had it not been Lord Shiva who dammed its flow in his locks and saved the planet. [Readmore]

Safeguarding our dams and waters: DRIP a critical aspect of national resilience and sovereignty

When the Three Gorges Dam over the river Yangtze became functional, it slowed the earth’s rotation by 0.06 microseconds. It is this power of dams that both impresses and intimidates us.

With emphasis on weekend tourism, water sports, fisheries, solar power and other allied activities, a perfect balance between structural resilience and economic resilience of dams has been envisioned through the project.

By Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Dams have been at the centre of Indian life for several decades, and have been a part of the faith for eons. When the celestial river Ganga came crashing onto the earth, its ferocity would have broken the planet into smithereens, had it not been Lord Shiva who dammed its flow in his locks and saved the planet. [Readmore]

Centre, states must seize opportunity to come together for water governance

The Centre can work with the states in building a credible institutional architecture for gathering data and producing knowledge about water resources — a foundational necessity to address most federal water governance challenges.

A slew of bills on water awaits Parliament’s approval. Two of them, passed by the Lok Sabha, were listed for clearing by Rajya Sabha in the monsoon session — The Interstate River Water Disputes Amendment Bill 2019 and the Dam Safety Bill 2019. The truncated session could not get to discuss the bills, though. A common issue that the bills confront is with respect to the ways in which the Centre can work with the states to deal with the emerging challenges of inter-state water governance. The latest centrally sponsored scheme (CSS), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), too is pumping massive finances into achieving universal access to safe and secure drinking water in rural areas — otherwise a domain of the states. JJM presents an opportunity to get states on board for a dialogue towards stronger Centre-states coordination and federal water governance ecosystem.[Readmore]

Polavaram meet: AP seeks nod for cost estimates at 2017-18 price level

PPA responded positively to State’s demand to convince Ministry of Jal Shakti: Chief Engineer

VIJAYAWADA: Standing its grounds, the State government has sought confirmation of the revised cost estimates (RCE) at 2017-18 price level for the Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) in a meeting held with the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) in Hyderabad on Monday.Engineer-in-Chief C Narayana Reddy, after the meeting, said the PPA has responded positively to AP demand for PPA intervention to convince the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the same. “We have clearly explained the State government’s stand on the issue to the PPA. We insisted on the second revised cost estimate at 2017-18 price level,” Narayana Reddy explained.[Readmore]

Govt eyes setting up 14 more water aerodromes for seaplane services

The government is looking to set up 14 more water aerodromes across the country after the successful launch of maiden seaplane service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. 

he government is looking to set up 14 more water aerodromes across the country after the successful launch of maiden seaplane service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between the Statue of Unity near Kevadiya in Gujarat's Narmada district and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

These will facilitate seaplane services on various routes including Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Assam, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.

"Development of 14 more water aerodromes is being planned pan India under RCS UDAN scheme.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had requested Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to conduct a hydrographic survey and later on requested assistance in setting up jetties for facilitating the passenger movement," a Shipping Ministry official told PTI.[Readmore]