Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II
Why in News?
The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase-II is recently in the news as of March 30, 2026, following a detailed update from the Ministry of Jal Shakti to the Rajya Sabha. The update highlighted the progress of dam safety audits and the institutionalisation of inspections across all States and Union Territories under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
Project Overview & Scope
- Objective: To improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and strengthen dam safety institutions at both state and central levels.
- Scale: Part of a larger 10-year program (Phase II & III) covering 736 dams across 19 states and 3 central agencies.
- Timeline: The current phase is scheduled to run from April 2021 to March 2031.
Financial Structure
- Funding: A total budget outlay of ₹10,211 crore for both phases (Phase II: ₹5,107 crore).
- External Assistance: Co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), providing US$ 250 million each for Phase-II.
- Cost Sharing: The funding pattern is 80:20 for Special Category States, 70:30 for General Category States, and 50:50 for Central Agencies.
Key Technical Features
- DHARMA Tool: Utilises the Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA), a web-based tool for data capture and smart management of water assets.
- Climate Resilience: Includes flood forecasting systems, integrated reservoir operations, and early warning systems to mitigate climate risks.
- Revenue Generation: Explores alternative revenue streams at selected dams, such as floating solar panels, fisheries, and water recreation.
Significance
- Global Ranking: India ranks third globally (after China and the USA) with over 5,300 large dams in operation.
- Risk Mitigation: Addresses the challenge of ageing infrastructure, as over 1,000 large dams in India were projected to be roughly 50 years old by 2025.
- Employment: Expected to generate approximately 10 lakh person-days for unskilled workers and 2.5 lakh person-days for professionals.
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