QUETTA: After a delay of more than a decade, the construction of Kachhi Canal project will finally be completed by the third week of August followed by filling of water to test the main canal and its structures.
The formal commissioning of Kachhi Canal is scheduled by the end of August with the release of water into the distribution system for irrigation of 7, 2000 acres of virgin land in district Dera Bugti of Balochistan.
This was briefed by the project authorities in a meeting presided over by Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lieutenant General (retired) Muzammil Hussain on Saturday. The meeting was held to review progress on the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant General (retired)) Muzammil Hussain said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that Kachhi Canal, work on which started 15 years ago, was almost an abandoned project owing to certain reasons; gross cost overrun and long delays being the major contributing factors.
However, the project was revitalised due to active support of the incumbent federal government and commitment of WAPDA team, the engineers in particular. It is indeed heartening to note that the project is finally going to see the light of the day after a long period of 15 years, the chairman added.
It is worth mentioning that Kachhi Canal project is of immense importance for the development of water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture in Balochistan. The project is being completed with a cost of about Rs 80 billion.
The 363-kilometre long main canal (out of which 351-kilometre is lined canal) takes off from Taunsa Barrage in district Muzaffargarh of Punjab and ends at district Dera Bugti in Balochistan. The discharge capacity of the main canal is 6,000 cusecs. As many as 914 structures have been constructed at or over the main canal, including head and cross regulators, road and railways bridges, cross drainage and escape structures and watercourse crossings etc.
