SLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank has advised Pakistan that full control across all sectors is needed to address growing water competition and to control the effects of pollution, wastewater, floods, droughts and land degradation now and in the future.
Appropriate policies should be put in place to promote integrated governance and development, ADB says in the case of research into the completion of the new Bank Barrage project, called a ‘transformation driver’ instead of the old barrage and advanced water-based technologies. and flood control, communication and access to essential social services, the ADB says.
According to a study released this week, projects such as the New Khanki Barrage have proved to be successful examples of guiding development partners in designing future irrigation projects.
Future irrigation projects will also need to be informed of solutions to water-related problems in many sectors, especially agriculture. To make infrastructure investment more inclusive, complementary investments in areas, such as education, finance and health will need to be encouraged, and aligned with the ADB multi-sectoral approach to ensuring that planned interventions address key food security priorities.
Irrigation department studies have shown a very high probability that flash floods could damage the Bank Headworks and break its boundaries, causing significant loss of life and damage to property, including crops and livestock.
Recognizing the danger, the Punjab government decided to replace the Khanki Headworks with a new barrage to ensure the safe passage of the 100-year-old floods, a steady supply of irrigated water to the command area, and the safety of people and livestock.
Climate change considerations have also influenced the decision as the 2020 Climate Risk Index ranks Pakistan fifth in countries most affected by climate change.
The ADB provided $ 270 million to Pakistan for the construction of a new Khanki Barrage on the Chenab River 275m below the old Khanki Headworks.
Published Parhlo, May 3, 2022
