About the Conference

International conferences on dam safety play a vital role in this process by providing a global platform for sharing experiences, research advancements, case studies, and best practices. They bring together engineers, regulators, academics, and industry experts to discuss emerging challenges, develop harmonized safety standards, and foster international collaboration. Such conferences help countries learn from each other’s failures and successes, ultimately strengthening global dam safety culture and enhancing resilience.

The International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS) 2026 is the second in the series of Dam Safety Conferences planned under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III.

This conference is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, during February 13–14, 2026. The previous conference was organized in Jaipur in 2023 and received an overwhelming response.

About the Organizers

This conference is being organized by the Water Resources Department, Government of Karnataka in collaboration with the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission (CWC), IISc Bangalore, and the World Bank.

The conference is supported by reputed organizing partners, academic partners, DRIP Implementing Agencies, sponsors, and media partners.

About DRIP

The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III is a large-scale, externally funded national programme designed to comprehensively enhance the safety, performance, and sustainability of dams across India. Spanning ten years (2021–31) and being implemented in two overlapping phases of six years each, the programme covers safety improvement interventions at 736 dams across 19 States, with a total financial outlay of Rs 10,211 crore.

DRIP is playing a transformative role in strengthening the institutional architecture of dam safety by supporting improved governance mechanisms, modernizing operation and maintenance practices, and developing robust protocols for physical rehabilitation, dam instrumentation etc. The programme places strong emphasis on climate resilience and disaster preparedness by promoting structural and non-structural measures, including hydrological and structural safety interventions, installation of early warning systems, dam break analyses, and the preparation and implementation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs).

In parallel, it is nurturing a sustainable dam safety culture through continuous capacity-building, development of training curricula, introduction of advanced technologies for investigations and rehabilitation, and preparation of standardized O&M manuals. As part of long-term institutional strengthening, two International Centres of Excellence for Dams (ICED) have been established at IIT Roorkee and IISc Bangalore with focused research domains such as seismic hazard assessment, sediment management, risk assessment, and advanced rehabilitation materials. Additionally, dedicated M.Tech programmes in Dam Safety/Dam Engineering at these institutes, operational since 2021, are contributing to building a specialised cadre of professionals equipped to lead the future of dam safety in India.

Dam Safety

Dams play a vital role in ensuring water security by storing and regulating water to meet diverse human and ecological needs throughout the year. They help buffer against the variability of rainfall, enabling reliable supplies for drinking water, irrigation, hydropower generation, and industrial use, even during droughts or seasonal shortages. By controlling river flows, dams also contribute to flood moderation, sustaining downstream ecosystems, and maintaining environmental flows when natural water availability is low.

With great infrastructure comes great responsibilities. The safety of dams is critical for protecting lives, property, and vital water infrastructure, especially as aging structures, climate-induced extreme events, and growing downstream populations increase risks. Ensuring dam safety requires continuous monitoring, periodic rehabilitation, and adoption of advanced technologies and robust regulatory frameworks.

With more than 6600 specified dams (NRSD 2025) spread across varied geological and climatic regions, India has built a robust storage and regulation system that supports agriculture, sustains river flows, and underpins economic growth. Many dams are several decades old, making rehabilitation, modernization, and safety management key national priorities. The portfolio includes iconic multipurpose projects, major hydropower reservoirs in the Himalayas, and numerous medium and small dams across peninsular India, together forming the backbone of the country’s water security and energy infrastructure.

The Dam Safety Act, 2021

The Dam Safety Act 2021, is a landmark legislation that brings a paradigm shift in the way we manage, operate and maintain our dams in India. As the practice of dam safety varied from state to state and from organization to organization, the Central Government has been working in close collaboration with the stakeholders towards unified practices of dam safety.

India’s dam portfolio is one of the largest and most diverse in the world, reflecting the country’s long-term emphasis on water resource development for irrigation, power generation, flood control, and water supply.