Drink deep: 44% residents of Khushab get drinking water

The Irrigation Department has completed 36 water supply schemes in the district.

LAHORE:

The Irrigation and Power Department and the Khushab Public Health Engineering Division collaborated on the construction of 36 canal-based water supply schemes to provide drinking water to residents of Mohajir Branch Canal in the saline zone of Khushab district. The project was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs265 million.

It aimed to provide drinking water to under-privileged communities in the province. The government had identified 41 water supply schemes of which 36 were found to be feasible.



Five of these schemes were to be completed using the PHED’s funds.

Community Based Organisations comprising 36 men and 24 women were formed. Members of the CBO were provided training on how to manage water schemes. They were also given brochures, pamphlets and booklets to raise awareness about the importance of consuming clean water.

The PHED has now handed over most of the water supply schemes to the CBOs to manage the scheme in an effective manner.

According to a statement issued by the Irrigation Department, prior to the completion of the water schemes, 34 per cent residents of Khushab had access to drinking water. It was now 44 per cent.

The Irrigation Department and the World Bank are also rehabilitating Jinnah Barrage under the Punjab Barrages Improvement Phase-II (PBIP-II) Project in Mianwali district. A Social Development Action Plan (SDAP) has also been devised for the social uplift of residents of Thal Canal. The rehabilitation of water supply schemes in Khushab, construction of middle schools, setting up a Basic Health Unit in the Dadukhel Canal Colony, the construction of a mosque and establishment of a public park are included in the SDAP.

During 2012-2013, 75,491 bags of wheat seeds were distributed among small-scale farmers in Thal (those who owned less than five acres in Mianwali, Khushab and Bhakkar districts). As many as 96,694 bags of wheat seeds and 4,730 packets of canola oil seeds were distributed among small-scale farmers in Layyah and Muzaffargarh last year during the Rabi season.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2014.