Reconstruction of irrigation network in South Uzbekistan completed

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan.15 By Demir Azizov- Trend: Uzbekistan has completed the reconstruction of its Amu Zang irrigation system in the Surkandarya province (South of Uzbekistan) worth $112.6 million, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan told Trend on Jan.15. Three major pumping stations lifting water from the Amu Darya, treatment facilities, irrigation and drainage networks were reconstructed within the project, the ministry said. In addition, under the project the water resources management was reorganized in seven administrative regions with a population of about 800,000 people serviced, agro-service centers were created and equipment to monitor the use of water in households of regions participating in the project was installed. The project is financed with the loan of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the amount of $73.2 million allocated to the Uzbek government in 2003. The ADB loan was allocated for the period of 25 years including a five-year grace period, at a reduced interest rate, based on LIBOR rate. Uzbek government has allocated some $37 million and the local participants of the project $2.4 million for the implementation of the project. British Mott Macdonald consortium and Turkish Temelsu are the financial consultants. Japanese Kubota Corp and Chinese CNTIC are suppliers of basic technological equipment. The Amu Zang irrigation system in Uzbekistan was constructed in 1973, and by the beginning of modernization in 2005, up to 80 percent of the channel's equipment needed technical rehabilitation. The modernization will ensure a steady supply of irrigation water to the area of about 300,000 hectares. Translated by L.Z. Edited by C.N. Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency