To prepare a Comprehensive Water Management Master Plan for conservation and management of water Resources to tackle declining ground water in state, Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Saturday met three-member team of experts from Israel at Amritsar.The experts team along with senior officers of Water Resources Department had earlier visited various parts of the state to assess the present situation and the challenges being faced by Punjab in dealing with the water sector. During their three-day visit, the team of experts has got an overview of the existing water resources and infrastructure in the state.The experts team of International Special Projects Coordinator of Mekorot Dr. Diego Berger, Project Manager Mr Niv Pintow, Water Engineer of Mekorot for North district Tomer Malol discussed the ways and means with the Minister to deal with grave problem of deteriorating condition of water resources in the state.
The team apprised Mr. Sarkaria that they will submit 6 reports 'Study in current situation of water sector', 'Water based economy regulations', 'Projections of the water Resources', 'Projection of Water demand', 'Alternative water supply schemes', 'Economic analysis and master plan summary and recommendations' for Punjab.Notably, the National Water company of Israel M/s Mekorot and Punjab Government had signed an agreement in April, 2019 after the visit of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to Israel in October, 2018.As per the agreement, the recommendations of the M/s Mekorot shall be submitted in 18 months. The final report of the master plan is expected in October 2020.Prominent among others presented in the meeting included Chief Engineer/ IPRI & UBDC Water Resources Department Mr. Jasbir Singh Sandhu, SE/ Policy Evaluation and Education Circle Mr. Sandeep Saluja, and SE/ UBDC Circle Mr. Manjit Singh.