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DSA 2021 · CWC · NDSA · IIT Delhi
Rakesh Gaurana

Dam Safety &
Hydraulic
Structures Expert

35+ years with the Central Water Commission and National Dam Safety Authority, retiring as Deputy Director. MTech from IIT Delhi. NDSA Technical Consultant (2023–2026). Specialist in DSA 2021 compliance, dam break analysis, barrage design, and EAP preparation across India's most demanding river systems.

35+
Years of Experience
MTech
IIT Delhi
NDSA
Technical Consultant
DSA 2021
Compliance Specialist
Deputy Director, CWC· NDSA Technical Consultant· World Bank Risk Assessment Trainer· Dam Safety Act 2021· IIT Delhi MTech
What We Do

End-to-End Dam Safety
Services

From regulatory compliance under DSA 2021 to forensic investigation and training — rigorous, field-tested expertise across the full dam safety lifecycle.

01
DSA 2021 Compliance & CDSE Reports

Comprehensive dam safety assessments, CDSE report preparation, and regulatory compliance support under India's Dam Safety Act 2021 framework — for dam owners, SDSOs, and NDSA-designated structures.

02
Dam Break Analysis & EAP Preparation

Breach parameter estimation, inundation mapping, and Emergency Action Plan preparation. Aligned with NDSA Hazard & Vulnerability Classification Regulations 2024 (PCI-based H1–H6 system).

03
IDF Review & PMF Studies

Design flood adequacy assessment for dams and barrages — SPF vs. PMF determination, flood frequency analysis, and CWC Manual compliance. Specialist experience with Himalayan river hydrology.

04
Barrage & Hydraulic Structure Design

Hydraulic and structural design of barrages, stilling basins, canal systems, cross-drainage works per IS codes (IS 6512, IS 12720, IS 1904). Self-developed MS Excel design sheets for rapid analysis.

05
Dam Inspection & Forensic Investigation

Rapid risk assessment using World Bank/DRIP methodology. Dam safety inspections (visual, geotechnical, instrumentation). Forensic investigation of dam failures — including lead role in Luti Dam failure inquiry (Chhattisgarh).

06
Training & Capacity Building

State-level training for dam safety officials on DSA 2021, rapid risk assessment, DHARMA portal, and EAP methodology. Delivery experience across HP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and nationwide for NDSA/World Bank.

Profile

A Career Built
at the Heart of
Indian Dam Safety

Over 35 years with the Central Water Commission and National Dam Safety Authority — from hands-on barrage design in the 1980s to shaping national dam safety policy under DSA 2021. Authored NDSA Annual Reports, led nationwide risk assessment training under the World Bank, and conducted forensic investigation of dam failures. Now available for independent consulting.

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MTech, Civil Engineering — IIT Delhi (1993) BTech (Honours), Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (1984)
Technical Consultant, NDSA (2023–2026) Authored NDSA Annual Reports 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25. Formulated dam safety regulations. DHARMA portal training. Luti Dam forensic investigation.
Deputy Director — CWC, Barrages & Canal Design (2013–2017) Technical examination of DPRs across 10+ states including Nepal cross-border projects. Kharkai Barrage, Tapovan Vishnugad HEP, Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project.
World Bank Rapid Risk Assessment — Trained Trainer In-situ training at Ichari Dam, Uttarakhand (March 2024). Subsequently delivered risk assessment training to field engineers across India on behalf of NDSA.
Co-Author, CWC Publication 'Guidelines for Planning and Design of Piped Irrigation Networks'. BIS WRD 13 Committee — canal and cross-drainage code revisions.
DHARMA Portal — Trainer NWA Pune (April 2024). Trained dam safety officials nationwide on NDSA's DHARMA digital platform.
Track Record

Key Projects &
Assignments

A selection of significant technical assignments spanning design, safety assessment, and forensic investigation across India's major river basins.

Dam Safety · Forensic
Luti Dam Failure Investigation, Chhattisgarh

Led rapid forensic investigation of dam failure on behalf of NDSA. Post-failure cause analysis and findings documentation.

Barrage Design · Jharkhand
Kharkai Barrage & Canal System

234-m barrage on river Kharkai for municipal and agricultural water supply. Full hydraulic and structural design including Larinier-type vertical-slot fish pass.

HEP · Uttarakhand
Tapovan Vishnugad HEP (4 × 130 MW)

Main barrage and all appurtenant structures for underground powerhouse on river Dhauliganga, Chamoli district. NTPC Limited.

HEP · Uttarakhand
Koteshwar HEP Powerhouse Complex

Design consultancy for intake, powerhouse, and tailrace structures. Resolved special technical challenges during design and construction phases.

Inter-State Link · Gujarat/Maharashtra
Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project

7 dams, ~400 km conveyance system including tunnels. Detailed design of link canal and appurtenant structures; DPR preparation for NWDA.

Irrigation · Uttar Pradesh
Badaun Lift Irrigation Project

102 cumecs diversion from Narora Barrage (Ganga), 15-m lift, 52 km canal system irrigating ~1.37 lakh ha across Badaun and Sambhal districts.

Irrigation · Uttar Pradesh
Arjun Sahayak Pariyojna

Diversion of surplus monsoon flows from Lahchura Dam (river Dhasan) to augment three dams. Kabrai Dam raised by 9.23 m to irrigate 44,381 ha additionally.

Risk Assessment · NDSA/World Bank
Nationwide Rapid Risk Assessment Training

Received World Bank in-situ training at Ichari Dam (Uttarakhand) and subsequently trained field engineers across India on rapid risk assessment methodology.

Interactive Resources

Practical Tools for
Practitioners

Free tools built around Indian dam safety regulations — for dam owners, State Dam Safety Organisations, and design engineers.

DSA 2021
Dam Category Finder

Classify your dam under DSA 2021's "specified dam" criteria — storage volume, height, and downstream consequence rules — in under 60 seconds.

Launch Tool →
Compliance
DSA 2021 Compliance Checklist

Step-by-step compliance status checker for dam owners and SDSOs covering O&M panel, annual inspection, and CDSE report requirements.

Launch Tool →
Hydrology
IDF Benchmark Selector

Determine the appropriate Inflow Design Flood standard — SPF or PMF — for your structure based on IS 11223 classification and CWC Manual guidance.

Launch Tool →
EAP · NDSA 2024
Hazard Class Calculator

Classify dam hazard potential under NDSA Vulnerability & Hazard Classification Regulations 2024 — PCI-based H1 to H6 rating with downstream population check.

Launch Tool →
Training & Capacity Building

Building Dam Safety
Capacity Across India

Delivered training to dam safety officials across multiple states and nationwide for NDSA and the World Bank. Programmes cover DSA 2021 implementation, rapid risk assessment, DHARMA portal operations, EAP preparation, and dam inspection methodology.

Enquire About Training
HP
Himachal Pradesh
DSA 2021 implementation, dam safety officials
UK
Uttarakhand
Dam inspection, EAP preparation, risk assessment
MN
Manipur
DSA 2021 compliance, SDSO capacity building
WB
NDSA / World Bank
Rapid risk assessment — nationwide training cohort
DH
DHARMA Portal Training
NWA Pune — dam safety officials, national level
Get in Touch

Let's Discuss Your
Dam Safety Requirements

Available for consulting assignments, DSA 2021 compliance reviews, forensic investigations, and training programmes. Response within 24–48 hours.

Send an Email
Email
rgaurana@gmail.com
Phone / WhatsApp
+91-9891656279
Location
India — available nationwide
Specialisation
Dam Safety · DSA 2021 · Hydraulic Structures