The work of lining of 30,000 watercourses is in progress for the second year in Punjab for which consultancy services are being provided by a Nespak-led joint venture. An agreement for this mega project was signed in February last year by the Director General (Water Management), Government of Punjab and the Vice President (Water & Agriculture Division), Nespak.
It is a four years project, which, on completion, will cost Rs 28.22 billion. The project is designed to improve 28,000 watercourses in canal-irrigated area and 2,000 in Barani area. The Punjab component is a part of the National Programme for Improvement of Watercourses (NPIW) in Pakistan.
According to a press release, the consultancy services include design/cost estimate approvals, quality assurance, verification of completed civil works and financial monitoring. Nespak has been holding special training courses for the field staff to impart necessary training to enhance their capacity in watercourses designing of various lining options.