293 big dams in country over 100 years old

New Delhi: As many as 293 big dams in the country are more than 100 years old, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Monday as he introduced a bill on dam safety in Lok Sabha.

The bill seeks to set up the National Dam Safety Authority for proper surveillance, inspection and maintenance of specified dams as well as address unresolved issues between states.

Besides the National Dam Safety Authority, the government has proposed setting up a National Committee on Dam Safety to prevent dam failure-related disasters.

According to the bill, the committee would maintain standards of dam safety and also evolve policies for ensuring the safety of dams.