Master plan for irrigation, water conservation works in Ladakh

Ajeet Kumar Sahu chairing a meeting in Leh.
Ajeet Kumar Sahu chairing a meeting in Leh.

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Feb 1: The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh is working towards improving irrigation infrastructure, strengthening flood risk management and promoting water conservation activities in the region.
The department intends to develop an irrigation master plan by identifying potential areas of irrigation and carry out the associated studies/surveys by mapping of water sources/channels and assessment of loss of irrigation potential.
For undertaking the work, the I&FC Department has hired a public sector expert company namely ‘Project Development Company of Rajasthan (PDCOR Limited)’ which is jointly promoted by the Government of Rajasthan and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Centre (IL&FS).
The PDCOR will provide its services for efficient implementation of the project activities, in three main components viz. Irrigation, Flood Control, and Water Conservation. It will assist the I&FC engineers of Ladakh in framing the draft of Water Policy for UT Ladakh; assistance in setting up of Water Mission for UT Ladakh; effective implementation of Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010; policy and plan for water conservation with emphasis on an appraisal of local technologies; review the existing river basin management plans; identification of vulnerable areas and flood risk hazard mapping to identify the potential irrigation projects to be implemented in the future.
They will also help in preparing DPRs for making defunct projects operational and restoration of non-functional I & FC infrastructure. Besides, it will also undertake detailed studies to identify flood zones and vulnerable areas to prepare plans for suitable intervention for flood protection.
In this regard, the Commissioner Secretary, Ajeet Kumar Sahu reviewed the work plan and schedule presented by Dilip Kumar, CEO, and N K Mathur, Team leader of PDCOR Limited. The officials of PDCOR Limited also discussed in detail the proposal of deployment of key personnel; the process of Developing RFP documents and Bid Process Management and data required to be collected. Mr Sahu issued instructions to the concerned for time-bound action on all activities.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer, PHE; Director, Planning; Superintending Engineer, PHE, Leh/Kargil; Chief Planning Officer, Leh/Kargil; Executive Engineers, I &FC, Leh/Kargil, and the officials of PDCOR Limited.