LARKANA, Aug 21: A Rs22.52 billion four-year project will be launched to improve 29,000 watercourses in Sindh. Sources told this correspondent here on Saturday that the federal government would contribute Rs18.18 billion for the project while the Sindh government's share would be Rs396.72 million. Farmers would contribute Rs3.93 billion by forming watercourse associations in their respective areas.

The sources said the project, to be initiated this financial year, would be carried out in saline and fresh water areas.

The federal water management cell of the ministry of food, agriculture and livestock will implement the programme through provincial and district governments with participation of farmers.

A district implementation committee, headed by the DCO concerned, will monitor progress of the project at the district level.

In the Larkana district, 2,424 watercourses would be constructed and existing channels would be improved under the plan, the sources said.

During 2004-2005, 425 watercourses will be improved at a cost of Rs211.22 million.

An amount of Rs1174.527 million will be spent on the project in Larkana where 32 field teams will work under the district team, headed by the district officer, water management.

The provincial coordinator of the programme in a letter on July 26 had asked the district nazim to ensure that the project was launched without delay.

The administrative officer of the nazim on Saturday said the district government was ready to start work on the project.