Need hi-tech to check floods: Sidhu

CHANDIGARH - Cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu Wednesday emphasised the need to use hi-tech mechanisms to check floods.

This year, at least a dozen districts of Punjab and Haryana have been lashed by floods, claiming over 50 lives.

“We are sending satellites and shuttles in the space to introduce new technologies in every field. But when it comes to floods, we are still relying on the age-old methods,” Sidhu, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP representing Amritsar constituency in Punjab, told reporters here Wednesday.

“Every year, floods are lashing the same locations at the same time of the year but we are doing nothing to address this problem. Water is our life-line and it is proving disastrous for people due to gross mismanagement,” he added.

Sidhu said that the government should take the help of satellites to ascertain the probability of floods, so that the administration can make advance rescue arrangements.

Talking about the issue of match-fixing, involving Pakistan players, Sidhu said: “It is really sad that such incidents rocked international cricket. There is need for very strict rules and provisions for harsh punishments to deter players from involving in such activities.”