ISLAMABAD: The government has planned to make available 139 million acre feet (MAF) of water for crops during the fiscal year 2015-16.

According to the Annual Development Plan document released here on Friday, about 5.92 MAF of water will be added to the system from underground fresh water aquifer, mainly by private tubewells. Water losses of the system through seepage will be improved through major emphasis on water conservation measures such as remodelling and rehabilitation of the existing irrigation system, lining of irrigation channels and watercourses and completion of ongoing big projects.

An amount of Rs22.529 billion, which forms 75 per cent of the total water sector allocation, has been proposed for irrigation projects under the PSDP in the next fiscal year.

The programme for lining of irrigation channels in saline zones will continue in Punjab and Sindh to check seepage and other losses.

The projects to be completed in 2015-16 include Drawat dam, land and water monitoring and evaluation of Indus plains, rehabilitation of damages caused by the 2010 flood in Larkana, Dadu and other areas, research studies on drainage, land reclamation, water management and use of drainage water, construction of six flood dispersal structures on Nari river in Balochistan, construction of Shadi Kaur dam in Balochistan, survey and study design for construction of rainwater dams, construction of diversion weir for Kabul river canal in Peshawar and Nowshera districts, flood management of Takhta Khawar in Peshawar district, Bazai irrigation scheme and Indus-21 water sector capacity-building and advisory services project.

An amount of Rs400m has been allocated for this programme in the fiscal year 2015-16.

Published in Dawn June 6th, 2015

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