ADB to fund Pakistan barrage renovation

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a $270m loan to Pakistan for the rehabilitation of the Sulemanki barrage, in the state of Punjab.

Official sources told Pakistan newspaper Dawn that the ADB had conducted an evaluation study to modernise the barrage’s water management system.

Punjab’s irrigation and power department recommended that the 84-year-old barrage be renovated because of damage caused by heavy flooding during the monsoon period.

Studies highlighted several structural, hydrological and mechanical problems.