December 22, 2006	Friday	Ziqa'ad 30, 1427

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GUJAR KHAN, Dec 21: Punjab Minister for Irrigation Aamir Sultan Cheema has said the construction of 19 small dams in Potohar region would be completed by June 2007. Study work on another 19 small dams in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal districts of Potohar area has been completed, while site studies for more such dams would also be carried out by the irrigation department, he said.

Inspecting the site of Phaleena Noor small dam, some 9km from Mandra Wednesday, the minister said the construction of small dams would usher a green revolution in the Potohar region by storing rain water for agriculture purpose.

These reservoirs would help stabilise the water table besides contributing to the development of fisheries and livestock sector.

After 1960s, it was for the first time that the government had allocated substantial funds for the construction of small dams in Potohar region to tackle drought in the area, the minister told this reporter. Such dams were also being constructed in Domeli, Jajja, Shah Habib, Jamal, Gurrah Utam Singh Khai and other areas of Potohar.

Mr Cheema said Phaleena Noor dam, which was spread over 220 acres and had 3,900 acre feet gross storage capacity, would provide water to 2,200 acres of agricultural land for irrigation purposes. It would go a long way towards increasing crop production and diversification through sustained irrigation water supply. Income of a segment of the rural population currently living under subsistence level would increase under the project and more balanced regional development be promoted, he added.

The minister said flood control measures were being taken in Rajan Pur, DG Khan, Sialkot, Narowal and some areas of Gujranwala district. In this regard, channels are being constructed to avert the pressure of flood water during the rainy season.

The minister also claimed of laying emphasis on repair and rehabilitation of main canals and water links to ensure maximum supply to users at tail ends.

Besides, repair and remodelling of barrages at five sites — Tonsa, Jinnah, Khanki, Head Salam and Head Balloki — was also being carried out to revamp the irrigation system in the province to control water damages and wastage.

Mr Cheema also acknowledged the cooperation of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Ellahi and foreign donors like the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the Bank of Japan and Jica in the irrigation sector.