Andaman engages WAPCOS as consultant for Agricultural improvement

Port Blair, Aug 11 (UNI) Tsunami hit Andaman and Nicobar islands has engaged an ISO 9001-2000 certified consultant for providing consultancy for carrying out land reclamation, soil conservation, and water harvesting and ground water recharge works under the Rajiv Gandhi Rehabilitation Package for Agriculture.

A Memorandum of Understanding with the firm Water and Power Consultancy Services (I) Ltd (WAPCOS) has been signed for this by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration yesterday. The firm is a certified Government of India undertaking of Ministry of Water Resources, said Mr V K Mishra, Officer in-charge of Information and Publicity Division, here today.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the Administration by Joint Secretary cum Project Director (Agriculture) Mr. Vishwa Mohan and on behalf of WAPCOS by Mr. S. K. Garg, Chief (Eastern Region).

The Central Ground Water Board will assist in the implementation of the water harvesting and ground water recharge component of the program, which will address the very important issue of water availability for farmers all over the Islands, Mishra said.

Under the program, over 10 Km of dykes with proper sluice gates and spillways and over 400 check dams are planned to be constructed within the current financial year.

Various other soil conservation and water harvesting structures will also be constructed. Budget allocation of Rs 24 crores is available for the program under RGRP.

WAPCOS being an expert agency is well acquainted with water works all over India, including the Andaman&Nicobar Islands. The firm has in the past undertaken several projects for ALHW, APWD and PBMC in various islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, he added.

WAPCOS will conduct requisite surveys and investigations in the field, identify suitable sites for erecting structures, design the structures, prepare Detailed Project Reports, cost estimates, tender documents and will also supervise the construction to ensure the requisite quality in respect of specifications for materials used and workmanship.

In short, WAPCOS will be involved from beginning of the project till the completion of construction. Repair of existing damaged sluice gates will also be undertaken in the project.

'' Successful completion of the project would significantly impact the water availability in various islands, and help in soil conservation and land protection from salinity,'' the in-charge of Information and publicity unit said.

Tsunami catastrophe, which was triggered by a mega earthquake on Decmber 26, 2004, had killed more than 3,800 people in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and left more than 46,000 people homeless.

According to an official assessment property worth Rs 3,327 crores had also been damaged in catasrophe.

UNI SKR KK RD 1029