Conference Overview
The India Dams Conference 2026 is scheduled for 27‑28 October 2026 at the ITC Grand Chola hotel in Chennai. Organized under the theme “Advancing India's Journey Towards a Secure Water Future,” the two‑day event will bring together senior government officials, engineering professionals, infrastructure developers and industry experts to discuss the future of dam infrastructure in India.
Core Themes and Objectives
The conference will concentrate on four principal areas: strengthening dam safety, modernising ageing dam infrastructure, improving reservoir management, and promoting sustainable hydropower development. These topics are positioned as critical to addressing India’s growing water requirements, shifting rainfall patterns and the increasing pressure on existing water‑related assets. Sessions will explore engineering advancements, regular safety assessments, monitoring systems, preventive maintenance, and timely upgrades aimed at extending the service life of dams while reducing operational risks.
Key Speakers and Participants
Prominent participants include R Giridhar, Regional Director for the National Dam Safety Authority (Southern Region); Dr. M. Selva Balan, Additional Director and Scientist‑E at the Central Water and Power Research Station, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Ashok Kumar, Director (Hydro Power) at the Ministry of Power; former NDSA Chairman Anil Jain; and Biju Ponnaratta, General Manager of Tata Consulting Engineers Limited. Their involvement ensures representation from regulatory bodies, research institutions, the power ministry and the private engineering sector, facilitating dialogue on safety regulations, technical practices, hydropower development and overall infrastructure management.
Expected Outcomes
The event aims to create a platform for technical expertise exchange, discussion of emerging challenges, and identification of practical solutions that support long‑term water security and sustainable infrastructure development. By fostering cooperation between government institutions and the private sector, the conference seeks to encourage knowledge‑sharing, industry partnerships, and actionable approaches for safer dams, more resilient reservoirs and expanded sustainable hydropower capacity.
For further details, the conference website is https://indiadams.com. (Disclaimer: The press release is provided under an arrangement with NRDPL; PTI assumes no editorial responsibility.)