T'gana ink pact with edn institutions for water-related prog

The Telangana government today entered into agreement with the IIT (Hyderabad), BITS Pilani and NABARAD to utilise their technical expertise in the implementation of the 'Mission Kakatiya' programme on preservation of water bodies.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of state Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao at his chambers here in the state secretariat.
Telangana special chief secretary S K Joshi exchanged the agreement documents with IIT Director Professor Desai, BITS Director Professor V S Rao and NABARD's Chief General Manager (Telangana office) C V V Satyanarayana, an official release said.
Rao said the agreement with the three institutions would herald a new era in the preservation of water bodies under the 'Mission Kakatiya'.

The institutions would be roped in to conduct third party check in the execution of works periodically. The institutions would also address technical issues in reviving the abandoned tanks under the mission.
The minister suggested IIT and BITS Pilani heads to take up pilot projects involving students pursuing PhD and MTech and the teaching staff on irrigation projects in the state and analyse irrigation facility.

He urged the two institutions to update his department in the advancement of technology in the irrigation sector from time to time.
Rao also sought the help of the IIT and BITS in creating integrated knowledge data base for every irrigation project, up-gradation of the official website ensuring more transparency and organise training camps to the department engineers to get an update on fresh trends emerging in irrigation.

He requested NABARD to take up studies on Mission Kakatiya, launched for revival of water bodies and tanks, and submit reports to his department to take corrective measures if necessary.