Make in India: CWC and IIT Roorkee inks agreement

New Delhi: The Central Water Commission (CWC), Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti entered into a Memorandum of Agreement for Development of International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED) under externally funded Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project Phase II and Phase III. 

This agreement will remain valid for ten years or till the duration of the DRIP Phase-II and Phase-II Scheme, whichever is earlier, from the date of signing.

ICED, Roorkee will provide specialized technical support in investigations, modelling, research and innovations, and technical support services to the Indian and overseas dam owners. The Centre will work for agreed dam safety areas to support and provide solutions to various emerging challenges faced in dam safety through scientific research and latest technological innovations. It will also carry out applied research, education, and technology transfer in dam safety management at local, regional, national, and international levels. The Centre will presently start with the focus on the two key areas: (a) Reservoir Sedimentation and (b) Seismic Hazard Mapping and Analysis in the initial years. The new areas shall be added as per the need arises from implementation of the Dam Safety Act in the near future. In the long run, the Centre shall aim to deal with the complete life cycle of the dams.

The ICED is being set up at a cost of Rs. 109 Crore, being borne by the Department of Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation & River Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India as non-recurring grant in six tranches towards procurement of goods, machineries for establishment of new laboratories as well as strengthening of existing laboratories, initiation of research activities, construction/ modernization of infrastructure for setting up of ICED by IIT Roorkee.