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Jinnah,
Taunsa barrages need urgent repairs
By Our Staff Reporter
LAHORE, March 15: The Jinnah and Taunsa barrages in the Punjab
have developed serious problems and require repairs costing an
estimated Rs34 billion on priority basis.
This was stated during a briefing to Punjab Governor Khalid
Maqbool on various proposed mega development projects in the
province at the Civil Secretariat here on Friday. It was
attended by the provincial finance minister, the chief
secretary and other senior officers.
The governor was told that all the 14 barrages in the province
which irrigate 21 million acres of land through 24 canal
systems had worn out and required urgent rehabilitation work.
But the two barrages needed attention on priority basis due to
the problems. It was stated that they would be repaired in two
phases, the first requiring as estimated Rs9 billion and the
second Rs25 billion.
The governor was informed that the agriculture department had
conceived a Rs1,500 million project to establish a chain of
cold storages in the province in order to enhance exports of
standardized fruits and vegetables. The export of vegetables
and fruits would also be enhanced through improvement in the
harvesting, processing, transportation and marketing
practices, it was stated.
The governor urged the need for mobilizing and educating
growers on post-harvest techniques and market preparations,
establishing centres to disseminate information about trade
and export of fruits and vegetables, and allowing local
producers an easy access to the national and international
markets.
He said it required to evolve a comprehensive strategy
regarding agri-genetic engineering by upgrading laboratory
infrastructure and acquiring modern equipment and latest
tissue culture techniques for crop improvement. This would
help induce resistance in the crops against pests, insects and
disease and natural stresses like drought and salinity.
The governor was also given a detailed briefing on other
ongoing and proposed mega developmental projects in the
province which included rural electrification programme, Thal
flood water project, Ghazi Barotha hydel power project and
flood protection sector project. It was stated that under the
drought emergency recovery assistance programme, Rs453 million
had been released out of the total allocation of Rs2,015
million.
The national steering committee had so far cleared 77 schemes
pertaining to water resource development and conservation,
water supply schemes, livestock, agriculture, rural roads,
farm to market roads and health centres in various areas of
the province where the development work was under progress, it
was stated.
The governor was told that the mega projects also included
widening, improvement and strengthening of highways which
would be covered by public sector development programme and on
which Rs8.4 billion would be spent during the next decade.
Under the same project another mega project known as Punjab
bridges project would be completed at a cost of Rs6.8 billion
within a decade.
The governor directed the authorities concerned to upgrade,
rehabilitate and improve all roads in rural and urban areas at
the earliest. He said the government could bring about a
positive change in the province through a sense of dedication
and commitment to its work. It was determined to focus all its
resources on promoting development activities in the province
in order to provide amenities to the people at their door
step.
The governor said concerted efforts should be made to
encourage the private sector to participate in the
developmental activities.
March 15, 2002
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Pakissan.com;
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