The long delayed 363km long Kachhi irrigation canal constructed at a cost of Rs 80.5 billion in 15 years, is being commissioned today to supply irrigation water to over 0.7 million virgin lands in Dera Bugti, Naseerababd, Bolan and Jhal Magti districts of Balochistan.
Punjab Irrigation canal regulators told Business Recorder here on Wednesday that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has advised them to release 1,271 cusecs of water in the canal from Taunsa barrage on the River Indus in the Kachhi canal to supply water to 72,000 acres of agricultural land in district Dera Bugti in the first phase for bringing green revolution in Balochistan.
The water regulatory body plans to gradually discharge water into the 6,000 cusecs capacity canal to test the canal, its structures and water distribution system.
The 363-kilometer long main canal (out of which 351-kilometer is lined canal-282km in Punjab and 81km in Balochistan) takes off from Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffar Garh district of the Punjab province and ends at Dera Bugti district in Balochistan province. 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.
This mega water project is being completed in three phases: Phase-I - in district Dera Bugti (will irrigate 102,000 acres); Phase-II - in district Bolan & Naseerabad (will irrigate 267,000 acres) and Phase-III - in district Bolan, Naseerabad and Jhal Magsi(will Irrigate 3,44,000 acres).
The Wapda spokesman said with the commissioning of Kachhi canal, the water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture in Balochistan has achieved a landmark. The project started in 2002, was almost abandoned due to grossly cost and time overrun for various reasons. With the federal government's support and excellent work by Wapda engineers, the re-energized mega project has seen the light of the day after 15 years.
The main objective of the project is to provide sustainable irrigation water supply to 7,13,000 acres of agricultural land so as to increase agricultural production and uplift the socio-economic condition of the inhabitants.
In addition to providing irrigation water to hundred of thousand acres of barren lands, The Kachhi Canal will provide employment opportunities to youth of Balochistan, increase value of land, exports, foreign exchange reserves, reduce shifting of population from rural to urban areas, enhance production of food grains, oil seeds and livestock, increase availability of clean drinking water, agriculture benefits are estimated over Rs 10 billion per year.
Policy planners say that Kachhi Canal is a vital project to cement national integration, economic development and social uplift in the far-flung areas of Balochistan by promoting agriculture and agro-based economy. With completion of Kachhi Canal Project, Balochistan will be able to draw its share of 17,000 cusecs water from the Indus River System, people in the area will cultivate their lands and accrue the benefits.
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