World Bank Funds Pakistan Barrage Project

The World Bank has approved a $146m loan for the second phase barrage improvement project in Pakistan, which will modernise and rehabilitate Jinnah Barrage and improve irrigation and water management in the Indus Basin.

The Punjab Barrages Improvement Phase II Project will ensure a reliable and uninterrupted water supply for 2.1 million acres of farmland and will benefit 600,000 farm families for irrigation and domestic water use.

The funding will also improve the water resource management and irrigation system management capacity of the Punjab Irrigation and Power Department.

The credit from the International Development Association, the World Bank’s concessionary arm, will have a 40 year maturity period with a ten year grace period.