Ministry of Jal Shakti signs agreement with Indian Institute of Science Bangalore for International Centre of Excellence for Dams
ICED To Provide Solutions to Emerging Challenges In Dam Safety Through
Scientific Research
ICED to Act As Technological Arm of Jal Shakti Ministry & Provide
Specialized Technical Support For Indian & Overseas Dam Owners
As part of the
holistic effort of Government of India to equip national institutions of eminence
to develop capability and expertise at par with global institutions and empower
'Make in India' in dam safety, Central Water Commission (CWC), Department of
Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal
Shakti has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian Institute of
Science (IISc) Bangalore for Establishment of an International Centre of
Excellence for Dams (ICED) under externally supported Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III. This MoA will remain valid for ten
years or till the duration of the DRIP Phase-II and III Scheme, whichever is
earlier, from the date of signing this MoA. The Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, Debashree
Mukherjee said “ICED will give the right impetus towards building an
‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and will also provide a window of opportunity for
disseminating knowledge and expertise in the dam safety area to many
underdeveloped and developing nations in future.”
ICED
will act as a technological arm of the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) to provide
specialized technical support in investigations, modelling, research and
innovations, and technical support services for the Indian and overseas dam
owners. The Centre will work on dam safety to support the Ministry and provide solutions
to various emerging challenges faced in dam safety through scientific research.
It will also offer area specific academic courses (including training programs
and workshops) and carry out applied research and technology transfer in dam
safety management at local, regional, national and international levels.
ICED will carry out research in two core areas (i)
Advanced construction and rehabilitation materials & Material testing for
dams and (ii) Comprehensive (multi-hazard) risk assessment of dams. In case,
CWC, Ministry of Jal Shakti desires to include any new emerging area in dam
safety, same shall be added after mutual discussion and agreement. The MoJS
will provide grant of Rs. 118.05 Crore for procurement of goods, machinery for
establishment of new laboratories as well as strengthening of existing
laboratories, initiation of research activities, construction/ modernization of
infrastructure for setting up and functioning of ICED, exposure visits to best
global institutions and on ground exposure to dam safety concerns to the
faculty of IISc.
IISc Bangalore will work with specific objectives to
provide novel solutions for assuring safety of ageing and new dams through
advanced research and technology development; train dam engineers with the
‘state of the art’ theoretical and practical knowledge through the M. Tech.
course program as well as through workshops and training programs; and enable
quick and efficient solutions to various challenges in the dam safety for the
agreed core areas. ICED faculty will work towards an in-depth understanding of
the problems pertaining to the focused areas being faced by the dam owning
agencies to offer effective recommendations and position their R&D
activities accordingly.
IISc Bangalore will endeavour to reach a level of
self-sufficiency within 10 years by generating income streams through the
knowledge and capabilities developed on Dam Engineering in general, and in the
core areas of advanced construction and rehabilitation materials and
comprehensive risk assessment in particular. In addition, ICED will have a
Centre Development Fund. A part of the consultancy charges, short term training
programs and any other revenue earning activity will be contributed to this
fund.
It is a holistic effort of the Government of India to
equip our national institutions of eminence to develop capability and expertise
at par with global institutions in the times to come. The setting of this
Centre will empower 'Make in India' in dam safety by undertaking advanced
research and developing technologies and application products; fast-track
innovations to provide most appropriate solutions to various challenges in the
dam safety for the agreed working areas; and create a pool of competent
manpower for dam owning agencies and industry equipped with state of the art
theoretical and practical knowhow. ICED, IISc Bangalore is the second
International Centre in the area of Dam Safety. The first ICED has been
institutionalized at IIT Roorkee upon signing of MoA in February 2023.