Irrigation Deptt to use hi-tech monitoring tools

LAHORE: Punjab Irrigation Minister Aamir Sultan Cheema has directed the department to set up a ‘Satellite Image Cell’ under the control of the Director Vigilance for proper monitoring of development and to stop water theft.

The proposal has been sent to the Punjab chief minister for approval, according to a handout issued on Friday. The GIS is a high-tech tool, and various functions could be performed through the use of images obtained from satellites orbiting the earth. These can help avoid duplication of work and also reduce work time of projects.

The handout said that the technology could help better and more effective management of the irrigation network by easily imaging the sites of development schemes, of any breach in a canal, locations of barrages, embankments, spurs and tube-wells. Once the data is entered into the system, any query could be made and a map could be produced for that query. It can help identify canals requiring maintenance and repair, as these would be instantly displayed. The handout said that prompt and accurate information would help authorities allocate budgets and manpower for various projects. app

Home | National