ISLAMABAD: The Nara irrigation system has been rehabilitated under a World Bank-assisted programme, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said.

The project was launched in 2007 under the Sindh Water Sector Improvement Programme with an assistance of $175 million and was aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the irrigation system, the UN agency said.

The bank had approved another $150m and an extension of five years was granted to the project.

Also read: Sindh seeks $150m for water management

The project involved bringing about improvement in 101 distributaries and minor canals, head regulators and hydraulic structures for storage and distribution of water.

After completion, the project would help modernise irrigation and drainage systems besides identifying ways and means to dealing systematically with floods and drainage issues.

Already a large number of secondary and minor canals in Ghotki and water boards of Left Bank Canal areas had been improved.

The project had also helped the provincial government develop a 50-year master plan to manage flood and drainage issues and carry out a detailed study for rehabilitation and modernisation of two barrages.

The studies, FAO sources said, were serving as a basis for modernising Guddu Barrage and rehabilitation of Sukkur and Kotri barrages.

The World Bank had associated the FAO in the project which is working with the Sindh Planning and Development Department for the implementation of the project. The UN agency is also responsible for $123m worth of procurement process.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2014