BAHAWALPUR: The Punjab Irrigation Department has finally dropped the 13–year-old scheme of the PML-N’s era for construction of an inflatable rubber dam in the dried-up bed of the river Sutlej near the city, terming the project unfeasible.

This has been confirmed by Irrigation Chief Engineer Irrigation Bahawalpur Zone Khalid Bashir.

The proposal to construct the rubber dam in the Sutlej was moved in 2008 by the then MNA Baleeghur Rehman with a view to raising the underground water, which had arsenic deposits to such an extent that the water was not fit for human use. The dam, in addition to reclaiming the underground water table around the city, was also meant to provide recreational facilities in the proposed lake.

The scheme got a nod from the then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and it was sent for consultation for which huge funds were sanctioned. It was proposed that water could be diverted from Mailsi-Siphon link canal to the dried-up Sutlej. The PML-N leadership had also claimed that the World Bank’s financial assistance would be sought for the project worth billions of rupees.

The consultancy continued during the term of Mian Shehbaz Sharif from 2008 onwards while Baleeghur Rehman continued making efforts for allocation of funds. But the funds were not allocated.

During the PML-N’ tenure starting from 2013, the proposed scheme of the inflatable rubber dam was active at the file work level and the necessary consultation between the high-up of the related government departments. But no concrete decision was made at the government level.

Chief Engineer (CE) Khalid Bashir confirmed to Dawn that the government had scrapped the scheme, declaring it ‘not feasible’ due to the unavailability of water. He said it was not possible for the government to channelise water from Mailsi-Siphon to the river Sutlej as it was too costly.

CLASH: A man was killed while five others suffered serious injuries in a rivals’ clash at Basti Khurlawali in the limits of the Qaimpur Police Station.

According to police and Rescue Service 1122, the rival parties had old enmity and they used clubs and iron rods against each other during the clash.

The deceased has been identified as Amin (35) while the injured were Riaz, Ashra (20), Khadim Hussain (50) and Muzzafar (20).

PRO Umar Saleem of the DPO said police arrested five alleged attackers and a case was registered.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2021