Shimla: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for hydrological data sharing between Himachal government and various projects on different river basins in the state, here today.
The MoU was signed between Narinder Chauhan, principal secretary, irrigation and public health, and the representatives from Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL), Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, (HPSEB), Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), Yangthang Power Ventures and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
World Bank funded, Hydrology Project-II amounting to Rs.49.50 crore, being implemented in the State, aims at establishing a hydrological information network comprising of water quality and quantity monitoring stations for surface and ground water including meteorological data.
The main objective of this project is to improve the existing system and to develop an integrated and comprehensive hydrological data collection and information system in the State for effective use by all power users concerned with water resource sector planning and management.
There would be 70 piezometer bore wells in the State to assess ground water quality and quantity. The data would be obtained from electronic digital water level recorders.
The project proposes to set up a State level data Centre at Mandi, besides eight circle division data centers and 40 sub-divisional centers to house data computing and processing facilities in the State.
Initially valid for five years, the MoU shall pave the way for smooth flow of hydrological data the agencies and Hydrology Project thereby setting up comprehensive data base in the State which would go a long way in assessing the increasing or receding water level of the rivers of the State.
Chief Engineer, I&PH, R.K. Sharma, Chief Engineer HPSEB, Pawan Kohli, representatives from hydro power sectors and Central Water Commission were also present on the occasion.
