ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 4. The Ministry of Water Resources of Kazakhstan will reconstruct the Koksaray counter-regulator in the Turkestan region to more effectively manage floodwater flows, irrigate agricultural lands, and maintain the water balance of the Northern Aral, Trend reports via the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, during his working trip to Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region, held a reception for citizens and inspected the state of major water management facilities in the region.
"A design and cost estimate documentation for the reconstruction and strengthening of the Koksaray counter-regulator have been developed. We plan to begin construction and installation work this year with the support of the Islamic Development Bank. The implementation of the project will restore the original volume of the facility, which will allow storing up to 3 billion cubic meters of water instead of the current 1.5 billion," said Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov.
In the Otrar district of the Turkestan region, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov met with Chinese investors who intend to implement a cotton cultivation project in the region using water-saving technologies. The minister discussed further plans with foreign businessmen for the development of the cotton industry.
Next, the minister headed to the Baidibek district. There, he again inspected the construction of the "Baidibek-ata" reservoir. To date, construction and installation work at the site is 48 percent complete. The reservoir will be able to hold 68 million cubic meters of water. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
In the Maktaaral district, the minister reviewed the operation and condition of the Central Collector-Drainage Canal "Myrzashol," which carries drainage water from agricultural fields. Plans for the site, located along the border with Uzbekistan, include bank reinforcement works as well as the reconstruction of small canals through which water flows into the canal.
To note, earlier, in the village of Myrzakent in the Maktaaral district of the Turkestan region, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov met with residents of the region, checked the condition of the Shardarinsk reservoir, and inspected the work of its dam.