The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has awarded a substantial contract worth Rs21.534 billion for the installation of a state-of-the-art telemetry system at 27 key sites across the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS). This system will enable real-time discharge monitoring and is set to be a major advancement in managing and distributing water resources more effectively.
The contract has been granted to a Joint Venture (JV) consisting of CDigital and HBCC, with Siemens serving as a sub-contractor. According to an official statement released on Wednesday, the telemetry system is expected to be fully installed and operational by December 2026. The installation and commissioning of this advanced system are anticipated to significantly enhance water management capabilities within the region.
The formal agreement was signed by Waseem Ali, Chief Engineer and Project Director of the Indus Telemetry Project, and Muhammad Ahsan Bashir, Chief Executive Officer of CDigital. The signing ceremony was attended by key figures, including WAPDA’s Member (Finance), Member (Water), Member (Power), General Manager (Hydro Resource Management), and representatives from the 45 Engineering Division, consultants, and contractors.
This telemetry system will address longstanding issues related to water distribution among the federating units of Pakistan, which have been a source of contention. The Ministry of Water Resources has tasked WAPDA with implementing this system to improve the equitable distribution of water resources, crucial for the effective management of the Indus Basin, which is vital for agriculture and hydroelectric power generation.
The approved PC-I for the Indus Telemetry Project amounts to Rs23.834 billion. This comprehensive project aims to provide real-time data on water flows and usage, allowing for better decision-making and conflict resolution among the provinces regarding water allocation.
The need for such a system has been underscored by recent tensions between the Punjab and Sindh provinces. Earlier this month, the Punjab government raised concerns over the allocation of water from the Indus River. Punjab officials reported that increased water releases to Sindh and reduced supplies to Punjab from the Indus River have jeopardized the timely filling of Tarbela and Mangla dams, critical for maintaining water reserves and power generation.
The Punjab Irrigation Department provided data from July 14 to July 23, indicating that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) had allocated 26,000 cusecs more water to Sindh than the share stipulated for the province. This excess water, if redirected, could potentially irrigate 6.5 million acres of land in Punjab. Such discrepancies have intensified the debate over water distribution, highlighting the urgency of implementing the telemetry system to ensure transparency and fairness.
The new telemetry system will facilitate precise measurements of water discharge, improving the management of water resources and helping to prevent disputes between provinces. By providing accurate, real-time data, the system aims to enhance the efficiency of water use and address any discrepancies in water allocation more effectively.
The implementation of this project represents a significant step towards modernizing Pakistan’s water management infrastructure. It aligns with broader efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and increasing water demands. As the system begins to take shape, stakeholders and citizens alike will be watching closely to see how it transforms water management practices and contributes to resolving long-standing issues of water distribution in the region.
WAPDA’s decision to invest in a comprehensive telemetry system marks a pivotal moment for the Indus Basin Irrigation System, promising to deliver greater accuracy and fairness in water management. The project, set to conclude by December 2026, holds the potential to significantly improve the balance of water resources and reduce conflicts between the provinces, ensuring a more sustainable and equitable approach to managing one of Pakistan’s most critical resources.
