No shortage of water in Cholistan: CDA

‘There is no threat of a drought’

BAHALWALPUR: The government has been working hard to initiate welfare projects for the residents of Cholistan, Naeem Iqbal Syed, the Cholistan development authority managing director, said while talking to journalists on a visit to Bhaala Khalri, Boharwala and some other areas in the desert. He said a 152-kilometre-long pipeline would be installed to supply water to residents of various villages up till Bijnot in the desert. He said the cost of laying the pipeline was estimated at Rs713 million. Syed said a 92-kilometre-long pipeline was installed in 2004 to provide safe drinking water to Cholistan. “That pipeline has been functioning all this time…there is no shortage of water in Cholistan…neither is there a threat of drought in the area.”

The CDA director stressed that the issues of water and fodder supply in the area was under control. “We have ensured round-the-clock water supply.” He said they had purchased four water bowsers at a cost of Rs50 million to take water to far flung areas. “We did not have these resources earlier…we have also been offered help from Rangers in this regard.”

He said the chief minister had issued strict directions in this regard. “The provincial government has mobilised all available resources to improve the quality of life of the residents of Cholistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2016.