KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Thursday presided over a meeting at the CM House here on Thursday regarding various Irrigation development projects under SIDA.
He said that the Irrigation System in Sindh province is of historic nature and there are prominent structures, barrages, canals and water distribution systems which not only irrigate the lands but also provide water for producing various crops.
Qaim Ali Shah maintained that it was strategy of government to provide water facility in those areas where land is still drought.
He opined that Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Development Authority (SIDA) has initiated various projects with total cost of US$ 175 million equivalent to Rs. 10,675 million.
Chief Minister said that due to heavy floods, the Irrigation system has received losses and damages, and many flood protective bunds were totally damaged which are being repaired and restructured on priority basis.
A team of Food and Agriculture Organization headed by Dr. Walter Klamm appreciated the role of SIDA and hoped that better results are expected.
FAO team leader in WSIP project Dr. Ylli Dedja highlighted the progress of SIDA under present Project Director, Ehsan Leghari, and hoped that prompt achievements are expected as far projects under SIDA are concerned.
He further stated that there is significant progress under those projects.
Leghari in his briefing of schemes with regard to Ghotki Miner canal, Phuleli canal rehabilitation, Nara irrigation system, Renni canal, complete modernization of Sukkur Barrage,etc.
He added that many small schemes have been completed and he requested the Chief Minister Sindh for inauguration of the same.
Leghari informed that for WISP projects, the world Bank has provided funds worth US$ 150 million which is equivalent to Rs. 9,162 million while the Government of Sindh has shared amount worth US $ 25 million equivalent to Rs. 1,513 million.
M. Ehsan Leghari informed the meeting that there are five major components of the projects, which includes community development and capacity building, rehabilitation and improvement of Irrigation and drainage system; management plan for major I & D infrastructure, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Project; impact and environmental management plan and Project coordination, monitoring, technical assistance and Training.
He said that according to Programme, the strengthening and capacity building of prepatory water management institution i-e SIDA, AWBs. And FOs.
He further said that civil works for rehabilitation/ improvement of irrigation and drainage system in the project area-7 main canals; 28-branch canals, 170-distributries and minors and improvement of Drainage for 2 lac hectares.
Highlighting the implementation status, he said that institutional arrangements have been finalized and project coordination and monitoring Unit has been established in Planning and Development department.
Leghari added that major consultancy services of the project implementation have been deployed and are in the field, in connection with preparation of floods and drainage Master Plan for Left Bank side of Indus and preparation of detailed diagnostic feasibility study for Guddu Barrage.
He further said that the identification of works and survey and design works have almost been completed and works for 35 FOs channels (distributaries / minors) have been awarded and physical works have been started and by June 2011, 38 more FOs Channels would be awarded.
The process for major works for main Nara Canal is in final stage of award and the process for award of major works for main canals of Ghotki Feeder and Fuleli Canal has been started, he added.
The meeting was also attended by Sindh Minister for Finance, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Advisor to C.M. Sindh for Planning and Development, Qaisar Bengali, Senior Member (BOR), Ghulam Ali Shah Pasha, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D), Muhammad Ishaque Lashari, Secretary Finance Sindh, Naveed Kamaran Baloch, Principal Secretary to C.M.Sindh, Alam Din Bullo, Project Coordinator WSIP, Dr. Fateh Marri and others.
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