LAHORE, June 24: The Punjab government on Monday allocated Rs1.6 billion for improving the irrigation system.

Finance Minister Tariq Hamid said the system had deteriorated and needed to be rehabilitated on priority basis. The government, he said, had identified some priority projects that would be undertaken during the next fiscal year.

These include remodelling of Thal Canal at a cost of Rs110 million and rehabilitation and improvement of Marala-Ravi Link system at a cost of Rs166 million.

The Bambanwala Ravi Bedian Depalpur Link Canal left bank lift irrigation scheme would consume Rs100 million. Another Rs100 million would be spent on desilting of canals.

The National Drainage Programme would cost Rs645 million and small dams in rain-irrigated areas Rs860 million. Lining of some canal distributaries would consume Rs10 million.

Another priority area, he said, was the improvement of six barrages. Feasibility study for the project was expected to cost Rs60 million. The federal government had provided Rs375 million for the purpose. During the first phase, the Jinnah and Taunsa Barrages and Khanki, Balloki, Sulemanki and Islam headworks would be rehabilitated. Rs300 million would be spent on lining canals. The federal government, he said, had provided Rs675 million for the projects.

Subsidy on tubewells to offset the impact of water shortage during the Rabi crop would cost Rs442 million.