MIANWALI, Feb 14: The super flood left behind many scars to be removed beside an unforgettable lesson to the irrigation department.

The thrust of flood was unimaginable for engineers of the irrigation department here at Jinnah Barrage, who were left with no other choice but to blast the spur known as Right Guide Bund (RGB) at three places to save Jinnah Barrage, which faced maximum discharge in its history.

The first wave of flood washed away 3,000 feet long portion of the LGB and posed a serious threat to the marginal bund. The marginal bund was last line of defence between several localities up to Mianwali city and its survival was the most crucial issue at that time.

When Shahbaz Sharif visited the Jinnah Barrage, the irrigation SE gave him briefing about the safety of the marginal bund. Some people of the area also present there compelled the CM to have a personal look at the marginal spur. The CM along with people walked up to the marginal bund and was shocked to find it in an alarming state of disrepair. The CM at once suspended the SE & XEN besides directing the administration to make the marginal bund safe at the earliest.

The labour of a local cement factory, local volunteers, army and police personnel started stone pitching and succeeded in strengthening the bund after 36 hours day and night work.

The Punjab government decided to rebuild the LGB during winter, when water discharge was at the lowest level at Jinnah Barrage. The work on the mega project worth Rs90 million started on Jan 17 with an aim to complete it within a month. Normally the project would have cost more than Rs 360 million and also required a much longer period for completion.

As soon as the work is completed, the Thal Canal will be reopend. The contractor has provided modern machinery with hundreds of labourers working day and night to complete the work within the stipulated period.

Punjab Irrigation Secretary Malik Rabnawaz visited the project a couple of days ago and was satisfied with the pace and quality of work. Dawn

Talking to , Kalabagh Irrigation XEN Tasneem Shah said that recent floods were more than their expectation, which caused a huge loss in the district. He said the reconstruction of the spur was vital to fight floods in future.

SDO Amanat Ali said that he was utilising all his abilities to make this project a success. He said Thal Canal would be opened before the completion of this project for the benefit of farmers.

Mohammad Anwar Khan, the contractor, was optimistic that the project would be completed in time. He urged the CM to get his pending bills cleared.

An irrigation official said despite a press statement of the irrigation secretary regarding the release of funds, the local irrigation office had not yet received a penny for this mega project.