RO 1.3 million for aflaj maintenance in N Al Batinah

Muscat: The total cost of maintenance and restoration of aflaj affected by cyclone Shaheen in North Al Batinah Governorate amounted to RO 1.350 million. A total of 98 tenders have been awarded including 96 tenders for maintenance and rehabilitation of aflaj and two tenders for digging two wells linked to aflaj, according to the Directorate-General of Agriculture and Fisheries in North Al Batinah Governorate.

Financial allocations for 52 water projects have been completed to the tune of RO 1,020,467, while the financial allocations for another 46 projects costing RO 331,135, are currently under processing.

Eng Abdullah bin Mohammed al Haddabi, Director-General of of Agriculture and Fisheries in North Al Batinah Governorate, said the maintenance of aflaj involved diversion of some aflaj away from wadi pathways, affirming that the ministry is committed to maintaining the original passageways of aflaj which can be changed only in rare cases.