Under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) convened on Tuesday to deliberate on crucial projects spanning the energy, transport and communication, and water resource sectors.
One of the significant recommendations put forth was the revised PC-1 titled “Installation of Telemetry System for Real-Time Discharge Monitoring at 27 Key Sites on Indus Basin Irrigation System,” presented by the Ministry of Water Resources. With a total cost of Rs. 23,834.707 million, the project is slated for consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). While the financing for the Indus Basin Irrigation System is proposed to come from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), Rs. 500 million will be sponsored by IRSA through its resources.
This transformative project, entrusted to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and executed by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), aims to modernize the current manual procedures governing the Indus Basin’s irrigation water management system. The absence of automated monitoring systems has led to operational challenges and potential inter-provincial disputes due to lack of accurate data on water flow and gate positions.
To overcome these hurdles, IRSA plans to deploy state-of-the-art telemetry equipment at 27 key locations. This equipment, proven effective in similar environmental conditions globally, will provide real-time data on water flow and gate positions, replacing manual operations. The project’s objectives are multi-faceted, aiming to enhance transparency, ensure compliance with the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, and foster equitable water sharing among provinces.
The installation of cutting-edge equipment, establishment of a data center, and deployment of client workstations at key locations are integral components of the project. Beyond improving water management, the project’s completion is expected to contribute to social, agricultural, and industrial development, creating employment opportunities during both execution and maintenance phases.
It is noteworthy that IRSA, mandated by a 1992 Act of Parliament, plays a crucial role in regulating and distributing surface waters among provinces in accordance with the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991.
