Construction of Kachhi canal project completed

LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has completed the construction of Phase–I of Kachhi canal project, a statement said on Thursday.

Subsequent to filling of water, the prime minister is scheduled to formally inaugurate the canal in the second week of September by releasing water in the distribution system to irrigate 72,000 acres of land in the far-flung and backward areas of Dera Bugti district.

Following completion of the project, Wapda on Thursday started filling water in the 363km long main canal from the head regulator located at Taunsa Barrage to test the main canal and various structures, including head regulator and cross regulators.

Wapda chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (Retd) visited head regulator of the Kachhi canal at Taunsa Barrage and started filling water in the main canal by opening gates of the head regulator.

The Wapda chairman said Kachhi canal, initiated in 2002, was almost an abandoned project because of the time and cost overrun for a number of reasons. However, with the active support of the federal government and excellent work by Wapda engineers, the project was brought back to the track and is now finally completed.

He appreciated the federal government, law-enforcement agencies and the project management to complete Kachhi canal, despite huge difficulties, especially law and order situation in the project area.

The Wapda chairman also appreciated the support of the locals in the completion of the project. Phase–I of Kachhi canal has been completed with a cost of around Rs80 billion. Kachhi canal project is of immense importance for the development of water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture land in Balochistan.

Wapda adviser (projects), general manager (central), project director Kachhi canal, representatives of the consultants, contractors and senior officers of the project were also present on the occasion.