Flood protection: Project launched in Malakand

The foundation stone for Rs300m flood protection project in Hasaar Baba Tota Kan Village laid.

PESHAWAR: The foundation stone for a flood protection project in Malakand District was laid on Tuesday. Provincial Minister for Finance Engineer Muhammad Humayun Khan laid the foundation stone of the Rs300 million project in Hasaar Baba Tota Kan Village.

Speaking on the occasion Khan said the floods devastation changed the shape of Malakand and people of the area have lost everything. He assured the people that their problems will be solved and they will be provided security and basic facilities.

“The safety of their lives and properties of the people is the responsibility of elected government and they will not rest till the people of Malakand received the basic facilities of life.”

He said the federal government had assured the provincial government that it will provide funds for this and other development projects in Malakand.

SPURS in Kurram Agency

Meanwhile the political administration of Kurram Agency has constructed 10 flood protection spurs in Airo Kale and Meer Badshah Colony. This will benefit the local community by saving the agricultural lands from flood.

A press release issued by the Directorate of Information, FATA, on Tuesday, said that the protection spurs would not only benefit about 3,500 individuals, but also protect 500 acres of agricultural land and another 200 acres of damaged land.

The authorities constructed these spurs in a short span of time. The inhabitants of these villages are directly dependent on agriculture as a source of their livelihood.

The press release added that the administration also completed a modern irrigation facility for Arab Shah Baba to improve its irrigation and agricultural system.

The project was completed after the construction of a well, a 10,000-gallon surface reservoir and installation of a 183-meter long irrigation channel, to irrigate 30 acres of land. The project will benefit approximately 200 individuals. Agencies

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2011.