PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa senior minister for irrigation and social welfare Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao has directed the relevant authorities to ensure the early execution of the Rs10.156 billion Pehur High Level Canal Extension Project in Swabi district. He issued the directives while chairing a high-level meeting at his office in the Civil Secretariat here on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by irrigation secretary, chief engineer, project director and relevant officials, said a statement issued here. The officials told participants that the canal extension was an annual development programme scheme, whose execution would be happen during the current fiscal year.

They said the Asian Development Bank would bear 90 per cent of the project`s cost and provincial government the rest under an agreement.

The officials said the project included the laying of 28kilometers pressure pipes, construction of 38 kilometers main canal with 24 head regulators and cross regulators, and building of 110 watercourses. They added that the canal`s extension would help irrigate 25,014 acres of land.

The irrigation minister directed the relevant authorities to expedite the project`s paperworl( and ensure the early start of work on the canal`s extension.

He also ordered the provision of all necessary facilities to the project`s management for completion of work within the stipulated time saying it will help boost the agriculture sector and create massive employment opportunitiesfor the people.

The participants resolved different issues regarding the project. While asking the authorities to keep him posted about the progress of work, the minister said the project would help irrigate vast barren land in Swabi district. Bureau Report