ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank and Pakistan signed two $150 million loan agreements on Friday to rehabilitate and upgrade Trimmu and Panjnad barrages by 2020.

The rehabilitation of the century-old barrages in Punjab is expected to improve farm income through increased productivity and reduce losses caused by floods to crops, livestock and other properties of farmers.

ADB’s Country Director Dr Werner E. Liepach and Economic Affairs Secretary Mohammad Saleem Sethi signed the loan agreements and Irrigation Secretary Saif Anjum signed the project agreement on behalf of the Punjab government.

The Punjab irrigation department is responsible for operation, maintenance and management of the irrigation system which covers 8.4 million hectares.

The Trimmu barrage, which holds a strategic position in the country’s agricultural economy, was built in 1937-39. It is located downstream of the confluence of Jhelum and Chenab rivers. Chenab supplies irrigation water to 1.74m hectares through six main canals.

The Panjnad barrage constructed during 1925-1929 is located downstream of confluence of Sutlej and Chenab rivers.

Rehabilitation of the barrages in Punjab is expected to improve farm income

The irrigation infrastructure in Punjab has deteriorated because of aging and deferred maintenance. The estimated cost of the deferred maintenance of the irrigation system is about $2 billion and that of upgrading the system to modern standards is $3.5bn.

“The rehabilitation and upgradation of Trimmu and Panjnad barrages will help reduce flood risks and ensure reliable water supply to 1.7m hectares of farmland. It will benefit about 600,000 farming families or about four million people,” Dr Liepach said.

“The project will also help train Punjab irrigation department staff and community members in flood risks and integrated water resource management measures and approaches,” he said.

Published in Dawn December 6th , 2014