About the centre
India has over five thousand dams across the country. They provide several benefits, including flood control, assured water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural needs, hydroelectric power, recreation, and inland navigation.
They were proclaimed as the temples of modern India as they integrate agricultural development and village economy with the growing urban economy and industrialization. More than 600 large dams have already crossed 50 years of their service life. Ageing dams pose a threat to mankind, economy, and environment.
The International Centre of Excellence for Dams at IISc Bengaluru is dedicated to advancing dam safety, hydrology, and infrastructure resilience through interdisciplinary research, consultancy, and training.
Challenges of Ageing Dams
- Changes in characteristics of ageing dam construction materials
- Increase in magnitude and frequency of flood flow due to climate and land use changes
- Improper operation of dams to meet increased water demands
As the failure of ageing dams can have catastrophic consequences, there is a need for strategies for testing construction and rehabilitation materials, developing advanced materials, and methodologies for disaster management and multi-hazard risk assessment.
ICED Proposal Themes
- Advanced construction and rehabilitation materials and material testing for dams
- Comprehensive multi-hazard risk assessment of dams
The timeline for implementation is 10 years, with a projected budget of INR 118.0534 Crores.