RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided to begin construction on the Rs36 billion Jalalpur irrigation project in the first week of February, which aims to end the shortage of water for agricultural land in Jhelum and Khushab.

Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood said that a 173 kilometre canal will be constructed from Head Rasul Barrage on the Jhelum River to provideclean water for drinking and agricultural purposes.

This will end the water shortage in Pind Dadan Khan and adjoining areas, he said, adding that more than 80 villages will benefit from the canal system and agriculture in the area will improve. At present, this part of north Punjab produces crops for the whole area, he said.

He said the 115km portion of the canal will be in Jhelum district and the remaining 58km will be in Khushab district. Small canals measuring 93km will also emerge from the main canal.

“As many as 170,000 acres of land will get water from this canal system and more than 400,000 people will benefit; it will bring socioeconomic change to this area,” he said.

Jalalpur irrigation project aims to provide water for agricultural purposes in Jhelum, Khushab districts

The commissioner said that a special plan has been prepared to protect the area from floods. “A total of 18 flood channels on Jhelum River and 72 drainage points have been planned for this canal system,” he said.

He added that this was not a canal system but a complete water package.

“More than 26 villages will get drinking water and 17 drinking water outlets will be established,” he said.

The project will be completed in four years, and land acquisition awards in Jhelum and Pind Dadan Khan have been issued, Mr Mehmood said.

He said land acquisition payments have begun, with 46pc complete in Jhelum and 31pc in Pind Dadan Khan under Package I.

He said the total land acquired in both districts was 8,729 acres — including 7,352 acres in Jhelum and the rest in Khushab.

Mr Mehmood said he has reviews the project’s progress report and asked the district administration expedite work.

He said water for agricultural purposes is a basic requirement of the area. Most of the wheat and other crops brought to the markets of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are from this area, he said.

He said agriculture in Rawalpindi has decreased and the first step would be to improve the lives of farmers. Roads between villages and markets will be improved, he said, and the government has launched a project in this regard.

The commissioner said he has directed the Jhelum administration to provide health and education facilities in villages so people can pay attention to their farms and the mass movement to urban areas is reduced.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2020