Now, Irrigation Dept works can be tracked through software

MUKTSAR: After facing flak for its alleged failure in controlling flood-like situation every year during the monsoons, the state Irrigation Department has this year developed a software – Punjab Irrigation Work Information System (PIWIS) — to keep an eye on all ongoing works of drainage and other wings of the department.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, May 28

After facing flak for its alleged failure in controlling flood-like situation every year during the monsoons, the state Irrigation Department has this year developed a software – Punjab Irrigation Work Information System (PIWIS) — to keep an eye on all ongoing works of drainage and other wings of the department.

Officials have been told to upload pictures of all ongoing works once every week on the software so that the higher-ups sitting in Chandigarh could monitor the situation. Sources said the access of this software has also been given to Chief Minister’s Office, Chief Secretary and Secretary (Irrigation). An Executive Engineer said the software had started functioning about a fortnight ago, which was developed and maintained by the Irrigation Department itself.

About the functioning of this software, he said, “For instance, if the work of cleaning and de-silting of drains is going on somewhere or sub-surface drainage system is being installed, we have to upload three pictures of different angles from the site. It is easy for the higher officials to check the status of the work and give any advice.”

He added, “Earlier, we used to send hard copies of status reports of the ongoing works. Now, this software has sped up the pace of work. It will also show what kind of works are going on in any particular area and that too with just a click.”

Notably, this software would help in curbing some malpractices as well. “The department has earlier received a number of complaints that the cleaning and de-silting work of drains was not done, but the bills were claimed. Even some people had complained to the Chief Minister in this regard. This software will definitely keep a check on such practices,” added a senior officer of the department.

KS Pannu, Secretary (Irrigation), Punjab, said, “The Irrigation Department is a big department having eight chief engineers of different wings. When I took the charge of the department, I found that works were being done by different wings in a disjointed manner without a central command and surveillance. Hence, I deputed newly recruited young engineers to develop software for proper monitoring of works in the department.”

“It is now implemented and giving good results. In the days to come, measurement book shall be written online and linked to work monitoring system and automatic bill generation and then linked to state treasury for payments. All inspections will be recorded online,” Pannu added.