Irrigation projects top priority

Satisfying country’s power and water needs are the prime objectives.

ISLAMABAD:

The proposed Rs47.2 billion allocation for the water sector is planned to be spent on timely completion of on-going projects and improvement of the existing irrigation network. Of the total, maximum resources will be utilised for construction of small and medium dams, drainage projects, construction of new canals projects with the prime objectives to meet power and water needs of the country.

A source on Thursday while giving details about the main projects to be implemented during this year, said that 87% of total water sector allocation would be spent on irrigation projects as lining of irrigation channels in saline zones is being undertaken in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to save the seepage and other losses and added that Rs3 billion has been proposed to this programme. He said under this, sub-sector sufficient budget was earmarked for six new dams - Ghabir in Punjab, Darawat, Nai Gaj in Sindh, Kurram Tangi in K-P and Winder and Naulong dams in Balochistan.

He said that the phase one of two new canals projects - Kachhi and Rainee, and the extension of Pat feeder canal in Balochistanis also apart of the project.

The official said that all on-going water management related projects and activities have been shifted to provinces, costing Rs94.5 billion and will remain in progress during this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2012.