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ISLAMABAD: Finance Ministry has earmarked Rs 45 billion for water projects in forthcoming financial year (2012-13) budget, it is learnt.

According to sources, Finance Ministry has given ceiling of Rs 45 billion for reprioritisation of water projects to the Ministry of Water and Power in coming budget.

In the ongoing budget 2011-12, the government has allocated Rs 36.14 billion including Rs 32.866 billion for ongoing and Rs 3.27 billion for new water projects. 

According to working paper, there are 57 ongoing and 13 new water sector projects in budget 2011-12. There is total of Rs 1.88 billion foreign loan including Rs 1.7 billion for ongoing and Rs 180 million for new schemes.

The government has allocated six billion rupees for development of Mangla Dam including re-settlement of displaced people. For Bhasha Diamer Dam, Rs.18 billion has been allocated from the budget while Wapda will arrange Rs.2.5 billion from the market. In addition to Neelam Jhelum, six hydro power projects, Gudu Steam Power Project and Combined Cycle Power Plant at Chechoki Malian are being implemented by Wapda.