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406 channels desilted in Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Irrigation and Power, ANG Abbasi has said that out of 456 channels, 406 have been cleaned during de-silted operation launched in Sindh Province from January 12 this year while the work on the remaining channels is progress.

This, he stated, while talking to people who called on him at his office, here on Sunday.

He said that as many as 2272.853 miles long channels have been desilted so far during the operation.

The minister informed them that there are 1500 channels of 12000 miles in length in the province, out of which 8049 miles of distributaries and minors required desilting.

Abbasi further informed them that about 2528 miles will be desilted this year, using irrigation department machinery, of these, 1475 miles would be desilted on self-help basis by troops and local farmers.

He also said that after desilting of canals, 10 to 15 percent cultivation would be increased which will help in boosting, up the agricultural productivity.

The minister lauded the role of army by employing approximately 10,000 army jawans who are monitoring the desilting operation by irrigation department besides participating physically on self-help basis.

He also appreciated the role of press/media, farmers organisation/NGOs and civil administration. In this regard, all out efforts were being made to execute the operation successful. APP