LOWER DIR: Taking notice of farmers’ complaints, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Arif Khan along withthe senior officials of the Irrigation Department here on Thursday visited the Balambat irrigation channel to inspect the ongoing extension work.

Briefing the DC, Irrigation Department’s executive engineer said the Balambatirrigation channel was a 76-km long channel that irrigated a total of 11363 acres of land in the Lower Dir district.

He said Rs 40 million had been earmarked for expansion and repair of the channel.

The DC checked the ongoing expansion and repair work at Khal, Akhagram and Sacha Bela sites and directed the officials to expedite the work on the channel to ease the difficulties of local farmers.

He also instructed to increase the number of construction equipment and workforce to ensure completion of extension work within the specified time.

He said that aletter would also be sent to the provincial government to release funds for the remaining work.

The local residents and farmers have been complaining of severe hardships for the last two years due to the closure of Balambat irrigation channel.

Meanwhile the DC along with senior officials of departments concerned visited the Timergara-Khwarroad and Timergara Jail to Mian Banda road and checked the ongoing repair work.

The DC directed the officials concerned that Timergara beautification projects should also be completed as soon as possible.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2024