GANDHINAGAR: What should the response be if the Narmada Dam is knocked by disaster — for want of codified procedure to deal with crises in a measured manner, authorities have to make do with improvised situation-to-situation solutions. Indeed, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) is yet to prepare a safety manual for the project though it has been in existence for the past four decades. The manual is mandatory because it lays down vital dos and don'ts for coping with calamities. An official associated with the construction of the dam said, "It's dangerous not to have a basic document like the dam safety manual." Like the dam operation manual and the flood control manual, the dam safety manual is a key document, the official said. "Any damage to the dam can cripple the water-supply system of the state and cause a major crisis," he said. "The state government must take immediate steps to prepare the safety manual.'' J N Singh, MD of SSNNL, was not available for comment. P M Patel, chief engineer for the project, said, "We don't have the dam safety manual but we have flood memorandum and dam-gate operation manual." The dam safety manual would be prepared once the project is completed, Patel said. This year, the water level at Sardar Sarovar dam, considered to be Gujarat's lifeline, touched the highest ever at 131.47m. "We have a panel of dam-safety experts who suggest actions as and when required," he said. "We conduct regular monitoring. Recently, we carried out underwater photography with the help of the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa to check for any damage.'' The Centre proposes to bring a legislation on dam safety to ensure proper surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of all dams of certain parameters across India.