LAHORE: The Punjab Irrigation Department has got Rs91.568 million approved from the Punjab Planning and Development Department for a feasibility study on using seepage from the River Ravi to meet the drinking water needs of the Lahore city.

The Punjab Provincial Development Working Party (PPDWP) on Friday approved the scheme in its 13th meeting of current fiscal year 2016-17.

The approved development scheme, which is actually PC-II, is included in the Annual Development Programme of 2016-17.

The working paper of the project says that Lahore has population over 10 million and area about 1,772 square kilometers. Water supply is purely based on the ground water pumping by 486 tube wells. Currently, water extraction by Lahore’s Water and Sanitation Agency is 435-MGD (500 cusecs) whereas 50 per cent of the quantity is also being extracted by private housing schemes, cantonment boards, railway, Model Town and TMAs.

With increasing numbers of tube wells, water table is depleting rapidly and the current declining rate is more than one meter per annum. Water supply will become grossly inadequate for future water demands. Moreover, due to over-extraction of water, the arsenic concentration is increasing rapidly. Due to these factors there is no other option except that surface water resource base may also be harnessed to augment the existing water supply system of Lahore city.

A project namely ‘Feasibility study for induction of surface water and construction of water treatment plant for Wasa Lahore’ was conducted in February 2015. In the study the site identified by the consultant was on the bank of BRBD Canal downstream of Ravi Siphon. The Irrigation Department has certain reservations on this site due to the non-availability of required discharge in the BRBD downstream of the Ravi Siphon.

The department has proposed to carry out another feasibility study regarding utilisation of seepage flow from the River Ravi to meet with drinking water needs of Lahore city. The department has also proposed to update the feasibility study already conducted for enhancing capacity of the Ravi Siphon by adding new barrel as well as exploring options of enhancing capacity by raising water level upstream of the siphon of any other possible solution to increase discharge at downstream of Ravi Siphon in the BRBD canal. Accordingly, the department has submitted this PC-II at a cost of Rs91.568m.

The report says irrigation and drainage infrastructure have deteriorated overtime and there has been imprudent and inefficient utilization and management of groundwater.

The report suggests structural measure for optimal utilization of surface water resources, development of holistic approaches to optimize surface. It also suggests efficient groundwater usage for agricultural productivity.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...