ICDS 2026 Opens with Global Focus on Dam Safety and Climate Resilience

The International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS) 2026 commenced on a strong and high-profile note with the inauguration by Shri Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka. The inaugural function was presided over by Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, reflecting Karnataka's leadership in strengthening dam safety governance and water infrastructure resilience.

Shri C.R. Patil, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, addressed the gathering through a video message, reaffirming the Government of India's commitment to advancing safe, sustainable and future-ready dam infrastructure.

High-Level Participation from India and Global Institutions

The inaugural session witnessed the presence of senior national policymakers, regulators and international leaders, underscoring the collective commitment to strengthening dam safety frameworks and institutional capacities in the context of climate variability and extreme hydrological events.

Key dignitaries included:

• Shri Raj Bhushan Choudary, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Shakti (Chief Guest)

• Shri T.B. Jayachandra, MLA, Karnataka and Special Representative of Govt. of Karnataka in New Delhi

• Mr. Johannes Zutt, Regional Vice President, South Asia, World Bank

• Shri D.K. Sharma, President, International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)

• Prof. Toshio Koike, Executive Director, ICHRAM, Japan

• Shri Anupam Prasad, Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC)

• Prof. Satyam Suwas, Dean, Mechanical Sciences, IISc Bengaluru

• Shri Subodh Yadav, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti

The gathering highlighted the growing importance of global collaboration in dam safety, risk governance and resilient water management.

Plenary Session Highlights Emerging Priorities

Following the inaugural ceremony, ICDS 2026 held a high-level plenary session bringing together policymakers, regulators and domain experts to deliberate on emerging challenges, priorities and the way forward for strengthening dam safety practices in India.

The plenary session was chaired by Shri D.K. Sharma, President, ICOLD, and co-chaired by Dr. Dina Umali, Regional Practice Director, Planets, South Asia, World Bank.

Presentations were delivered by leading national and international experts, including:

• Mr. Ed Jager, Minister (Commercial), High Commission of Canada

• Shri Anupam Prasad, Chairman, CWC

• Prof. Toshio Koike, Executive Director, ICHARM, Japan

• Ms. Eileen Burke, Global Lead for Water Resources, World Bank

• Mr. Deepak Kapoor, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department, Maharashtra

• Dr. P. Somasekhar Rao, Director (Technical), ACIWRM, Karnataka

DRIP Recognised as Flagship Model for Dam Safety Modernisation

A central theme of the plenary discussion was the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP), highlighted as a flagship initiative of the Government of India for strengthening dam safety nationwide.

Speakers noted that DRIP has played a pivotal role in:

• Improving structural and operational safety of dams

• Strengthening institutional capacities

• Mainstreaming risk-informed decision-making

• Integrating climate resilience into dam management

The project's lessons were described as valuable not only for Indian States but also for other countries seeking systematic rehabilitation and capacity-building approaches.

Key Takeaways: India as a Global Lighthouse in Dam Safety

Concluding the plenary session, Dr. Dina Umali summarised major takeaways, noting that the experience gained under DRIP has generated globally relevant lessons for dam safety governance.

She highlighted that:

• Innovations in rehabilitation and regulatory strengthening through the Dam Safety Act, 2021 have been central

• International collaboration continues to enhance technical and institutional progress

• India's focus on capacity-building positions it as a global lighthouse in dam safety practice

Climate Variability Elevates Need for Coordinated Reservoir Operations

Speakers underscored that increasing climate variability and extreme hydrological events make dam safety and coordinated reservoir management more critical than ever.

Coordinated operation of upstream and downstream reservoirs was identified as essential for effective flood management, risk reduction and downstream safety.

Sustainability and Long-Term Maintenance Prioritised

The plenary also emphasised the importance of sustainability and systematic operation and maintenance of dams.

Experts warned that poorly maintained dams face heightened risks of distress and failure, while deferred maintenance increases lifecycle costs.

Exploring additional revenue streams such as:

• Floating solar power generation

• Tourism development

• Fisheries and livelihood integration

was suggested as a pathway to support sustainable dam maintenance and long-term financial viability.

Technical Sessions and Innovation Discussions

The plenary session was followed by Technical and Industrial Sessions on themes including:

• International and National Regulatory Frameworks for Dam Safety

• Innovations in Structural Health Assessment

• Advances in Rehabilitation Materials and Monitoring Technologies

These sessions featured eminent experts from academia, industry and global dam safety institutions.

Cultural Evening at Vidhan Soudha

The first day concluded with a vibrant cultural evening at Vidhan Soudha, Bengaluru, offering delegates an immersive experience of Karnataka's artistic heritage through music, dance and traditional performances.

The evening celebrated India's cultural diversity while providing an engaging platform for informal interaction among participants.

Building Safe, Resilient and Future-Ready Water Infrastructure

ICDS 2026 has opened with strong momentum, reinforcing the importance of collective thinking, cross-institutional collaboration and climate-resilient planning in advancing safe and sustainable dam infrastructure for the future.