Punjab government will complete mega projects in the irrigation sector, including the Jinnah Barrage project, at a cost of Rs 28 billion during the current fiscal 2012-13. Official sources told APP, on Wednesday, that funds were being made available from the Annual Development Program (ADP). They said that better agriculture production could not be possible without an improved irrigation system, so the government was pursuing a unique plan to make effective use of limited water resources.
Under the irrigation reforms project, drip irrigation will be installed on 100,000 acres of land, de-silting of 7,500 water channels will be carried out and 3,000 laser level units will be provided to farmers. The project will cost Rs 19.15 billion. Sources maintained that recent floods had adversely affected the existing canal system. The government was striving hard to keep this 100 year old heritage intact. For the purpose, a hefty amount of Rs 1,120 billion will be spent.
Moreover, work on the Jinnah Barrage project had already been carried out, while Balloki Headworks and Khanki projects will be completed this year.