Punjab Irrigation and Power Department is implementing a number of major development projects including rehabilitation and upgradation of irrigation system, modernisation of barrages and lining of water channels.
The need for these projects had become imperative to sustain the resource base, which is absolutely vital for agriculture and economy. Besides a provincial budgetary grant of Rs 11.3 billion for the improvement of irrigation sector during the current fiscal year, federal government will also provide a grant of Rs 3 billion under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to strengthen and improve the vital canal infrastructure in Punjab.
This was stated by Senior Minister Punjab, Raja Riaz Ahmad while talking to a delegation of agriculture experts and progressive farmers at his residence, here on Sunday.
High-ups of Irrigation and PIDA were also present. He further said that that 900 million dollars worth multi-tranche financing facility project has been planned to rehabilitate and improve Lower Bari Doab Canal Project for improved irrigation water supply to Okara, Kasur, Sahiwal and Khanewal districts, Pakpattan Canal Improvement Project including Sulemanki Barrage, rehabilitation and upgradation of Thal Canal Distribution System, Sidhnai Canal Improvement Project, rehabilitation of Trimmu Barrage and rehabilitation of Punjnad Headworks which would be completed in a total of 11 years.
He said that Social and Environmental Management Unit of the Irrigation Department is responsible for developing and ensuring the implementation of social and environmental assessment guidelines for irrigation infrastructure. This unit is also responsible for creating general awareness among all the stakeholders on these issues. The unit is also developing a database containing relevant information about social and environmental aspects of the irrigation system. Irrigation Department has also finalised ground water management strategy and action plan has also been developed, he told.
Punjab irrigation system is one of the largest contiguous gravity flow systems in the world and realising the importance of resuscitating this system, the Irrigation Department has launched a process of integrated reforms, Minister concluded.
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