SIALKOT: Punjab government has released Rs1.85 billion to the district government for executing a flood protection project, including a link drain near Pathaanwali to save the city and its adjoining areas from Ail nullah flooding in future.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail said a new link drain would soon be built near Pathaanwali which would be later diverted to the Marala-Ravi-Link (M.R.Link) Canal, besides connecting it to Aik nullah. The drain would carry the excessive water from Aik naullah to M R Link Canal in the flooding season.

He said Rs1.85 billion would be spent on the project to be started in March 2017. The project would be completed within the stipulated period of two years, he added.

He said Rs460 million would be spent on digging of that 120-foot wide link drain.

He added the district administration had also acquired the land for the project at a cost of Rs700 million.

The DC said a 10-foot high and nine kilometre long wall would also be built along the both banks of the Aik nullah near Eastern Bypass at a cost of Rs700 million, which would held save dozens of the urban areas, including Jodheywali, Aallo Chak, Naikapura, Shafi Da Bhatta, Doburji Aaraaiyaan, Doburji Malhiyaan and Habibpura from the floodwater.

Published in Dawn, February 20th , 2017