ISLAMABAD, Dec 30: The National Drainage Programme would be completed on time and maintained properly to save agricultural land from getting waterlogged and saline so that bumper crops of different commodities could be harvested.

Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi said this while presiding over a meeting on the National Drainage Programme (NDP) with international donors, provinces, Wapda and the representatives of the Federal Flood Commission here on Thursday.

He said the main objectives of the NDP were to restore sustainability of irrigated agriculture in an environmentally sound manner through physical interventions and institutional reforms. He said that drains should be properly looked after, otherwise they tended to overflow and damage the whole irrigation system.

The meeting was informed that the Phase-1 of the National Drainage Programme was initially planned to be started in July 1997 and completed in June 2004 but was delayed due to some technical snags. As per the revised schedule of implementation, the phase-1 would now be completed by December 31, 2006.

The ADB and JBIC have also extended the loan closing date for the programme, the meeting was told. The minister observed that although the implementation of the programme had remained slow initially, it would pick up momentum from now on. The provinces are making efforts to complete their part of the job within the extended period, he added.

Mr Jatoi praised the role of donors, especially the ADB and JBIC, for extending the loan closing dates. He called for proper monitoring of the activities being carried out under the NDP so that investment made on the programme was properly utilized and the goals fully achieved.

In a separate meeting on the Kachhi canal, the minister decided in principle to implement the project from Tunsa barrage. He said the reservations of Punjab would be given proper consideration. It was also decided that a detailed presentation will be made to Punjab's chief minister and governor in this regard.