Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mian Yawar Zaman has said that supply of canal water will further improve for lakhs of acres land of eight districts after the construction of new Khanki Barrage. He said Punjab government was implementing a comprehensive plan of restoration of barrages speedily so that supply of water could be further improved.
He expressed these views while reviewing in detail the construction work of new Khanki Barrage, here on Thursday. Head PMO Barrages of Irrigation Department Amjad Saeed, Superintending Engineer Lower Chenab East Circle, Resident Engineering FMEC Muhammad Azam, Business Head Descon Adnan Bhakhtiyar, Project Manager Sheikh Anees and other officials of Irrigation Department were present on the occasion.
Head PMO Barrages of Irrigation Department Amjad Saeed gave a briefing to the Minister about the construction work carried out under construction project of new Khanki Barrage. It was told that on the recommendations of irrigation experts, the decision of reconstruction of 123 years old Khanki Barrage was taken in 2008, so that water supply could be continued to canals of Chenab Bridge regularly.
It was told that after the construction of new Khanki Barrage, its capacity will be increased from eight lakh to 11 lakh cusecs and it will cost about Rs 21 billion. Similarly Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh districts will benefit from canal water after reconstruction of this barrage.
Mian Yawar Zaman was told that the developmental activities of construction of barrage are continuing according to schedule and 47 percent targets have been achieved so far. Similarly this project will be completed by the end of 2016. It was told that after construction of new Khanki Barrage, the old barrage will be removed.