27Initial filling of reservoirs.

(1) Before initial filling of any reservoir of a specified dam, the agency responsible for its design shall draw the filling criteria and prepare an initial filling plan, with adequate time for monitoring and evaluating the performance of the dam and its appurtenant structures.
(2) Before initial filling of the reservoir is taken up, the State Dam Safety Organisation shall inspect or cause to be inspected the specified dam either through its own engineers or by an independent panel of experts, who shall also examine the initial filling programme and prepare a detailed report thereof duly certifying the fitness of dam for filling.