CONSTRUCTION OF KACHHI CANAL PROJECT COMPLETE PM TO FORMALLY INAUGURATE PROJECT IN 2nd WEEK OF SEPTEMBER

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Lahore: August 31, 2017. In a significant development towards economic development and social uplift through irrigated agriculture in Dera Bugti / Balochistan, the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has completed construction of Phase – I of Kachhi Canal Project. Subsequent to filling of water, the Prime Minister is scheduled to formally inaugurate the canal in 2^nd week of September by releasing water in the distribution systems to irrigate as many as 72,000 acres of land in the far-flung and backward areas of Dera Bugti district.

Following completion of the project, WAPDA today has started filling water in the 363-kilometer 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.

To mark the event, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (Retd) visited head regulator of the Kachhi Canal at Taunsa Barrage and started filling of water in the main canal by opening gates of the head regulator. WAPDA Advisor (Projects), General Manager (Central) Water, Project Director Kachhi Canal, representatives of the Consultants, and Contractors and senior officers of the project were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, WAPDA Chairman said that Kachhi Canal, initiated in 2002, was almost an abandoned project because of time and cost overrun for a number of reasons. However, with active support of the Federal Government and excellent work by WAPDA engineers, the project was brought back to the track and is now finally complete. He paid homage to the Federal Government, law enforcing agencies and the project management to complete Kachhi Canal despite so many difficulties, especially law and order situation in the project area. The Chairman also appreciated support of the locals in completion of the project.

Phase – I of Kachhi Canal has been completed with a cost of about Rs. 80 billion. The 363-Kilometer long main canal (out of which 351-Kilometer is lined canal) takes off from Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffar Garh district of Punjab province and ends at Dera Bugti district in Balochistan province. It is worth mentioning that Kachhi Canal Project is of immense importance for development of water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture in Balochistan.