While the performance of Maharashtra’s irrigation sector is being debated, especially following the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the people need to be assured that the dams in the state are safe. Maharashtra has 2,093 dams, of which 218 are under-construction. Of the 1,875 completed dams, as many as 375 dams have one or more deficiencies that require immediate government intervention. While the state has built a strong capability at the Dam Safety Organisation, Nasik to identify potential hazards of large dams and canals and suggest remedial measures, the state government should annually make DSO’s inspection findings on individual dams public, indicating repairs required and the budgetary allocations made. The government needs to adopt a holistic approach for dam safety, rehabilitation and modernisation, with focus on creating new sources of revenue at dam sites.
Ramesh Deshpande Washington DC
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
