PIDA spending Rs 235-mn to improve irrigation infrastructure

Lahore: Punjab Irrigation Department (PIDA) is spending an amount of Rs 235 million on the execution of 866 different 'closer works' of 639 water channels for improving and up-keeping of irrigation infrastructure in the province. This was stated by Senior Minister, Raja Riaz Ahmad while presiding over a departmental meeting at his office.

Representatives of PIDA and senior officials of the Irrigation Department also participated in the meeting and briefed about the details and nature of closer works. The meeting was told that Rs 60 million for 216 closer works in Bahawalpur zone, Rs 39 million for 102 closer works in DG Khan zone, Rs 15 million for 121 closer works in Faisalabad zone, Rs 17 million for 48 closer works in Lahore zone, Rs 56 million for 216 closer works in Multan zone and Rs 45 million for 163 closer works in Sargodha zone have been provided.

The meeting was informed that annual desilting campaign is going on in full swing. Rs 110 million have been provided for 2970 mile long 400 perennial canals while Rs 65.88 million have been provided for 1445 mile long 239 non-perennial canals. 8.08 lakh cubic feet silt will be removed from perennial canals and 5.05 lakh cubic feet silt will be excavated from non-perennial canals. He directed to achieve the targets of desilting campaign, adding that transparency in payments be ensured. He asked the Irrigation department to develop fool proof mechanism to counter check desilting details.