January 20, 2007	Saturday	Zilhaj 29, 1427

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LAHORE, Jan 19: The breach in a cofferdam of Taunsa Barrage has been filled and the situation would be back to normal in next four to five days. This was claimed by Irrigation secretary Arif Nadeem while talking to Dawn here on Friday.

He said that the stone-filling operation had been completed and now the earth-filling process had started. He said after the completion of that process the department would move to raise pound floor that might take another three days. In all, the situation should be back to pre-breach position in not more than five days time, he hoped.

About reasons and cost of the repair process, the secretary said that normally contractors made minor adjustments in design recommended by the employer. It remained to be seen what kind of changes, if any, the contractor had made in the design.

Mr Nadeem said it was also possible that the employer’s design could not sustain the water pressure. The apportionment of blame and cost would take a few months because it was a lengthy process, which was in-built in contract terms.

He insisted that there would be no crop damage, as the wheat crop did not require water at this point of time. Both canals emanating from the barrage were non-perennial, running only for six months, he said.