Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah said dam safety is not just one department’s job but a national duty needing shared efforts. At the International Conference on Dam Safety in Bengaluru on February 13, he said new digital tech means cyber security must be part of dam safety. "Critical water infrastructure remains vulnerable to terrorism and strategic disruption, demanding constant vigilance and coordinated intelligence mechanisms," he said. He added, "Methane emissions from reservoirs remind us that sustainability and climate responsibility must inform future dam planning." India has 6,628 specified dams, making it third in the world. Karnataka owns 231 dams, ranking sixth in India. Nearly 70% are over 25 years old, so they need safety checks, updates, and risk-based management. Facing climate extremes and aging issues, he called dam safety a "national security imperative." He urged Union and State governments to treat safety audits and emergency plans as active risk tools, not formal duties. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said Karnataka is working on Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Programme (DRIP) Phases II and III. This covers 58 dams with ₹1,500 crore funding, focusing on safety, monitoring, and durability. About the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and Drinking Water Project, Shivakumar said the government is moving ahead after a Supreme Court judgment in November 2025. "This project is a lifeline for Bengaluru, designed to meet growing drinking water needs while ensuring stipulated Cauvery water deliveries, and generating approximately 400 MW of power," he said. On the Upper Krishna Project Stage III, he noted a new rule for fair, transparent land acquisition. Shivakumar also asked the Central Government to rethink the 500-metre distance rule near dams under National Dam Safety Authority guidelines. He said tourism downstream of dams helps local economies and usually does not harm dam safety. He requested "flexibility while ensuring uncompromised safety standards."