KP to computerise entire irrigation system

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will computerize the entire irrigation system using a water resource management information system.

It was revealed that a technical delegation of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) led by Dr Mohsin Hafeez held a meeting with Secretary Irrigation Ayaz Khan in his office.

A communication said the delegation briefed the secretary on the progress of its ongoing UK Aid-funded Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Project. All the chief engineers and other department senior officials attended the meeting.

It was informed that IWMI was helping the province in the implementation of the KP Water Act 2020 where necessary rules and regulations were being framed by the patron of Punjab. “The IWMI will extend help in the development of a proper groundwater management information system in the province,” it was added.

The special focus during the meeting was given to the proposed water resource management information system for KP.The system will reflect all relevant information about the KP irrigation system on the website of the department. This system will not only facilitate the KP Irrigation Department with real-time monitoring of their canal system but will also ensure the proper running of the canals with their design discharges till their tail ends.

It will contain a complaint redressal mechanism which will ease the irrigators in quickly resolving their problems at field level.The system has already been established as the world’s largest irrigation system in Punjab and its replication at the KP level will improve the overall water sector governance in the province.

The secretary of Irrigation appreciated the system and requested IWMI for its early implementation in the province. He directed the field formation of his department to help IWMI with the necessary data for the early completion of the system.