Author Archives: PSIAC

Quetta: August 5, 2023

(Saeed Yousuf)

The Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project (BIWRMDP) M&E section conducted a one day Training session on Geospatial / GIS Technology and it’s Usage in Survey for the BIWRMDP, PMU & PSIA teams. The event was facilitated by M&E Specialist BIWRMDP Mr. Muhammad Anwar and Provincial Team lead MMP M&E Dr. Faiz Kakar.

Speaking on the session the Project Director BIWRMDP, Engineer. Barkat Ullah Kakar said that, these kinds of innovative technological awareness sessions about Geospatial technology and its usage in survey techniques and alike will boost up the technical expertise of the team, and hoped that knowledge gained from this session will undoubtedly be instrumental in advancing the project’s goals and fostering a brighter water future for Balochistan. But ,also the BIWRMDP continues its mission to improve water management and development practices in Balochistan. Even so, after this session the team will be also be able to use these techniques into the field in a pragmatic manner. In last, Engineer Barkat Ullah Kakar affirmed that such and many more capacity building Trainings will be arranged for the PMU & PSIA teams in the near future where the team cherished and showed their enthusiasm to give there’s best.

The trainers grasped with all the thematic areas that are used in the Geospatial and GIS techniques to the officials of BIWRMDP (PMU) & PSIA team. Elaborating more the Trainers said that, in understanding geospatial surveys, it’s important to know what makes up geospatial data which is usually made up of the following five components that includes Vector Data, Raster Data, Attributes, Geographic Coordinate System and Georeferencing. Trainers asserted that, these components may be used in isolation or in combination with one another. When it comes to surveying, this data is extremely useful to contractors or engineers working on large-scale projects. This is because geospatial surveying provides a comprehensive analysis and complete view of the surrounding environment.

Trainers also said that this is a rather complex and multi-dimensional type of land surveying service. While it does involve traditional land mapping and mobile mapping, it also involves various other disciplines. They said, It offers multiple data formats to provide the exact data you need. Geospatial technology systems broadly include mapping and surveying techniques like global positioning systems, geographic information systems, remote sensing, etc. this system has a unique ability to store, label, and analyze information using spatial systems.

Trainers also shared knowledge regarding the Geographic Information System (GIS) and said that it is a method of data collection that provides spatial information. Ultimately, GIS connects data to a map to show either location data or descriptive information . And , GIS provides a central system to store and view land data. It helps surveyors to easily manage survey information and provide the necessary data.

The session was ended with distribution of Certificates to the participants.

(Quetta, Islamabad, Karachi): Weekly progress review meeting of BIWRMDP Project was held virtually along with participation from the PMU at Quetta. The meeting was attended from Islamabad virtually by Secretary Irrigation Department Mr. Abdul Fattah Bhangar, Senior water Specialist and Team lead World Bank BIWRMDP Project Mr. Yoro Sidibe, Project Director BIWRMDP Engineer. Barkat Ullah Kakar, Dr. Faiz Kakar and other relevant stake holders . And from Karachi attended by Techno international pvt ltd team lead Mr. Lakani and other, and from Quetta PMU the team project implementing partners and consultants of BIWRMDP participated.
The meeting agenda was to discuss the details and progress of the two water basins ongoing physical progress, in addition the meeting have thorough discussions about the coming project of Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (IFRAP). The meeting main focus was to speed up the ongoing feasibility work of the improvement of Quetta Water supply system for preparation of Balochistan water security and productivity improvement.
The meeting was briefed about the new project in relation to making of PC1 and other necessary documentation about the integrated flood resilience and adaption project. The meeting was briefed about the IFRAP background and told that The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (IFRAP) will provide housing reconstruction grants to approximately 35,100 homeowners to rebuild their homes following resilience standards and livelihood grants to smallholder farmers to support livestock, promote climate-smart agriculture and other productive activities. It will also help restore essential services by rehabilitating damaged community infrastructure and facilities such as water supply, irrigation, roads, and community facilities.
In the meeting the Techno firm lead Mr. Lakani and his team from PMU Quetta briefed about the feasibility study they are working in connection to coverup all the aspects and gaps which were identified in all of the previous meetings. On the occasion Secretary Irrigation Mr. Abdul Fattah Bhanger appreciated the support and said that the severity of potable water for Quetta is really alarming. Adding more he said that by bringing together various stakeholders and experts, the initiative showcased the government’s dedication to addressing the water needs of Quetta residents. As the proposed strategies and plans take shape, it is hoped that Quetta will witness a significant improvement in its water supply, ensuring a better and sustainable future for its citizens. The meeting was concluded with vote of thanks to and from the chair.

Project Director Engineer. Barkat Ullah Kakar chaired the meeting of Progress review of Social and Environmental Components. The chair was briefed about the components Project Director directed the concerned to speed up the pace of these both components. He said Social and Environmental components are very important that have direct impact to the general public of both of these sectors have futuristic effects. The Concerned assured to speed up the pace.

Project Director BIWRMDP Eng. Barkat Ullah Kakar chaired a meeting of progress review of the forest and wildlife component . DPD Forest and Wildlife Àbdul Qadeer Gichki briefed about the components in both of the basins. Overall progress was appropriated for the forest component and applauded the forest team efforts. In the meeting Implementing partners IUCN briefed about the activities and plantation of Mangroves to the Miani Hor Lasbella and assured that the target of Mangroves plantation will be achieved as before the pre agreed time schedule of the project. The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks by the chair.

World Bank representative Mr. Irshad Ahmed conducted a comprehensive visit with Project Director Engineer. Barkat Ullah Kakar to the project related completed and ongoing development projects. On this visit the representative of World Bank expressed his satisfaction over the work standard but urged for expedition of all developmental projects before the tentative closure of this project.