Cabinet agrees in principle with water management plan in central plain

AYUTTHAYA, Sept 19 (TNA) – The Cabinet agreed in principle with nine water management plans to prevent chronic flooding in lower Chao Phraya River basin. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Chatchai Sarikulya said that the Cabinet agreed with the plans, including construction of a new canal, which would extend 23 kilometers and cover three districts from Bang Ban to Bang Sai to increase water flow and relief flooding. However, the Cabinet has approved neither the budget nor the work plans because it is the mega projects, which require a huge sum of budget. The national water resources committee was assigned to conduct feasibility studies on the projects and possible impacts as well. The committee will look into water management plans and canal networks in other parts of the country to address the flood problems in a comprehensive manner. The minister expected that the studies of all details will be finished within a week before it will be forwarded to the Cabinet meeting next week. (TNA)