Punjab irrigation system being strengthened: World Bank team meets chief minister

The irrigation system was being strengthened through state-of-the-art research and management means, as the agricultural and economic reforms programme could effectively be implemented only through better management of water resources.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi stated this while talking to a delegation of the World Bank headed by its Water Sector head Manuel Contigoch here on Thursday. Punjab Chief Secretary Salman Siddique, P&D Chairman Salman Ghani, Irrigation Secretary Arif Nadeem and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister pointed out that local organisations had been empowered with regard to better water management in small canals and water channels.
He said that a new system for the flow of information with regard to availability of waters in canals had been evolved while all information in this connection was available at the Punjab government website.
"In order to store the water and ensure its judicious use, a huge programme aimed at construction, repair and restoration of barrages and head works was being implemented, making use of which thousands of acres of barren land, would be brought under cultivation", he said.
The chief minister briefed the World Bank delegation that in order to ensure the equitable distribution of water in all the areas of the province, solid measures were being taken while fool-proof arrangements had also been made to eliminate the water theft.
He said the monitoring process had further been made effective in this regard. In order to check the loss of water and make the most of existing water resources, a comprehensive strategy was being pursued.
He also said that for the apportionment of water in the canals of the province and extensive monitoring of the water usage, the existing irrigation system was being computerised.
Manuel Contigoch acknowledged that the Punjab government had all the capability of facing the challenges of poverty and social development in the province.
She said that she had been impressed by the government endeavours in this regard, and assured that the World Bank would provide ample resources of strengthening the water sector in Punjab.