MITHI, May 16: Maj Gen Tariq Saleem, GOC, 18-Division, Pakistan Army, inaugurated the 46-km Mithi-Naokot water supply project by pushing a button at the zero point pumping station near Naokot on Wednesday.

Speaking on this occasion, he said that having been completed at the cost of Rs199.405 million, the mega project was designed to provide canal water through pipeline to 29,000 urban people of Mithi and 39,000 inhabitants of different villages situated near the pipeline.

Highlighting the salient features of the project, the GOC pointed out that the funds for this scheme were taken from Rs1 billion special relief package for Thar announced by President Pervez Musharraf during his visit to Thar in 2000.

Giving break up of the use of the relief package amount, he said that Rs429.2 million had been spent at the construction of metalled roads in Thar, including the roads from Chhachhro to Islamkot, Ali Bunder to Diplo, Mithi to Islamkot, Meghar to Akwado, Meghar to Manghore and others.

Maj Gen Saleem said that Rs122 million had been earmarked for the electrification of several towns and villages in Tharparkar District.

Pakistan Army had already got completed the pipeline water supply schemes from Cheel Bund to Chhachhro, Umerkot to Ratmore, Chhor to Khokhrapar, and Suni Gani to Rahmaki, besides spending Rs130 million at the construction of reservoirs for storing rain water and installation of hand pumps in the area between Badin and Khokhrapar, he said.

The GOC said that two more water supply schemes prepared by the 18-Division had been sent to the Sindh government for approval.

He said that a metalled road from Islamkot to Nagarparkar was also under consideration.