ADB to provide Rs 700 million for Punjab canals redesigning

[Salman]

LAHORE - Asian Development Bank has decided to provide Rs 700 million funding to Punjab government for redesigning and remodeling of Pakpattan Sulemanki and other canals in the province.

The approval has been granted on the conditions of Punjab government after successfully ending two days dialogue between the provincial authorities and bank in the presence of representative of federal government, an official who attended the meeting said here on Friday.

An agreement was also signed in this regard. Secretary P&D Arif Anwar Baloch and ADB team head Akhter Hussain signed the agreement from their respective sides. Member P&D Dr Abid Bodla, Secretary Irrigation Khalid Masood, Additional Secretary Finance Farid Tarar, Chief Engineer Irrigation represented Punjab government, while Waqar Bukhshi of Economic Affairs Division Islamabad represented the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government has approved the scheme of energy sector with an estimated cost of Rs 3,416.540 million for Ujaala Programme. Eight development schemes of various sectors of the economy were also approved worth Rs 3,003.169 million in the 21st meeting of Provincial Development Working Party of current financial year 2012-13 presided over by the Punjab Planning and Development Board Chairman Javaid Aslam.

The approved development schemes included: Extension in Gestation of PC-II “Survey & Studies to prepare master plan to develop Murree as Pollution free tourist town” (Issue) at the cost of Rs13.9 million, Establishment of Wazirabad Institute of Cardiology, Wazirabad, District Gujranwala at the cost of Rs 1,277.89 million, Establishment of Strategic Planning Unit & Project Management Units at the cost of Rs 124.48 million, widening of road from Sangla Hill to Sukehkey via Marblochan at the cost of Rs236.96 million, widening of Sheikhupura to Sargodha Road at the cost of Rs920.56 million, Lahore Ring Road Project Construction of road along Khaira Distributory from Package 17 to Ferozepur Road at the cost of Rs424.75 million.