To supply irrigation water to over 0.7 million virgin lands in Dera Bugti, Naseerababd, Bolan and Jhal Magsi districts of Balochistan, the long delayed 363km long Kachhi irrigation canal constructed at a cost of Rs 80.5 billion in 15 years, finally becomes operational.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has advised Punjab Irrigation canal regulators 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).
With the completion of Kachhi Canal (Phase-I), water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture have achieved a land mark. Work on Kachhi Canal, started 15 years ago, and was almost an abandoned project owing to gross cost overrun and long delays. However, the project was revitalized due to active support of the federal government and commitment of Wapda. The project has now finally been completed with a cost of about Rs 80 billion.
