Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)

To strengthen the dam safety activities in India, the Union cabinet approved the formation of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), under the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR).

DRIP was initially launched in 2012, and the Union cabinet announced the Phase II and Phase III of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project in October 2020. 

This topic is important with regards to the upcoming IAS Exam and questions based on the same may be asked in the GS II and III papers under infrastructure, schemes, and policies part. 

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the objectives of the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project, a brief background, and the different phases of the examination. Aspirants can also get a comprehensive List of Dams in India, at the linked article. 

Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Notes:-Download PDF Here

About Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)

• The project was launched in 2012 by the Central Water Commission (CWC) with the financial aid of the World Bank
• In 2021, only 4 states were a part of this project: Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
• Moving forward, 3 more states/organisations joined this rehabilitation program: Karnataka, Uttaranchal Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, and Damodar Valley Corporation
• The project was initially launched with a duration of 6 years but was later expanded further for another 2 years, till June 2020
• The total cost of the project was Rs. 2100 crores (2012) and the amount allocated for Phase II and III is Rs. 10,211 crore
• The project was launched in 2020, with DRIP Phase II and III, with similar objectives, but at a larger scale
• There were 225 dams which were covered for rehabilitation and improvement in terms of safety measures

Objectives of DRIP

The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project was started off with multiple objectives, mainly to improvise the functioning and safety of dams in India. 

Given below are the three main objectives of DRIP:

• Rehabilitation and Improvement of dams and associated appurtenances
• Dam Safety Institutional Strengthening in participating States and CWC
• Project Management

What was the need for the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project?

The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) is an important initiative taken by the Union cabinet to improve the maintenance and operation of dams in India. 

The project holds significance as India is the third country, after China and the United States of America, in terms of the dam’s operation. There are over 5000 dams which are operating in India and 400+ dams which are still under construction in India. 

Indian reservoirs are also an important source of economic growth in our country and thus preserving them is of utmost importance for the country. 

DRIP Phase II and III

On October 28, 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, approved the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Given below are the characteristics of DRIP Phase II and III:

• The project is funded by World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
• This program will be implemented over a period of 10 years, divided into two phrases, i.e., April, 2021 to March, 2031
• With the involvement of more states and Agencies, the Government intends to maintain more and more water resources of the country
• In these two phases, the project plans to cover 736 dams across the country:

Read more about DRIP Phase II and III – Comprehensive News Analysis October 29, 2020

Significance of DRIP Phase II and III

The dams in India need to be administered and taken care of because it constitutes a major part of the economic development in the country. There are a few main factors which may lead to failures of dams, it includes:

• Structural Deficiencies – If the core structure of the dam is not strong, the probability of it collapsing are very high. Thus, proper maintenance is  must
• Not well Maintained – If a dam is not maintained well, there are chances for it to collapse
• Not Operated Correctly – A complete system runs through to operate the dam correctly. So, some agency or institution needs to be appointed for maintaining the operation of dams

The project will target to ensure that the rehabilitation of the dams in the country is done appropriately and they are maintained well enough for their proper functioning in the future as well. 

DRIP Phase II and III will aim at:

• Management and Maintenance – Since news dams which are being constructed in the country, will also be maintained by DRIP, proper management and maintenance is mandatory
• Technical Efficiency – Focus shall be on technical installation of the dams so that they can function well
• Strict Measures and Actions – It is important that a well managed structure is followed, a set of rules and regulations must be listed for proper functioning

Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Notes:-Download PDF Here

Questions related to the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project

Q.1.Which two international organization is collobarating with India for the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project?

1. UNESCO, WHO
2. World Bank, AIIB
3. IMF, FATF
4. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

Answer: World Bank. Asian Infrastructure Bank (AIIB)

Q.2. Which of the following states have the largest number of dams in India?

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Punjab
3. Rajasthan
4. Madhya Pradesh
5. Maharastra

Answer: 5. Maharastra. It has a total number of 2354 dams as of October 2020.

Candidates looking for a detailed UPSC Syllabus, to start their preparation, can visit the linked article and get subject-wise syllabus for the upcoming IAS Exam. 

For any further exam updates, study material or preparation tips, candidates can turn to BYJU’S for expert assistance.