Bihar Strengthens Dam Safety with Special Training for Engineers

Patna: A two-day special training camp was organized for engineers of the Water Resources Department to enhance the safety, monitoring, and maintenance of large dams in Bihar. The training focused on the Dam Safety Act, 2021, educating engineers on its provisions and the importance of compliance. They were also trained in surveying sedimentation in reservoirs and designing necessary modifications to adapt to changing flood patterns.

Held at the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), the training included discussions on five major dams in Bihar—Upper Kiul, Durgawati, Kohira, Phulwaria, and Badua. Experts provided detailed insights into tackling decreasing water storage capacity, sediment accumulation, and long-term reservoir maintenance. Engineers were guided on measures to sustain these structures efficiently for the future.

The program was conducted under the joint supervision of the State Dam Safety Organization (SDSO), Bihar, and WALMI, Patna, under the guidance of E. Awadhesh Kumar, President of SCDS, Bihar. SDSO Director E. Vijay Kumar explained key provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, including penalties for non-compliance. The event was inaugurated by E. Mahmood Alam, Chief in charge of SDSO, Bihar, alongside WALMI Director E. Seema Kumari, SDSO Director E. Vijay Kumar, and other senior officials.

Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, and Assistant Engineers from various dam and barrage zones across Bihar participated in the training. Prominent attendees included E. Kumar Manoj Gupta from Durgawati Nirman Zone, Bhitari Dam, E. Manoj Kumar from Irrigation Zone, Nawada, and E. Dhananjay Kumar Sinha from Son Barrage Zone, Dehri.

The Water Resources Department is continuously working on better water resource management, flood prevention, and irrigation expansion in Bihar. Modern techniques and strategies are being implemented, with all necessary studies and steps taken under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 to ensure the safety and sustainability of the state’s dams.