Kachhi Canal Phase I complete; RD 1183 to RD 1319 to be handed to Balochistan Irrigation

NASIRABAD: On the directives of Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Provincial Secretary Irrigation Sohail ur Rehman Baloch and Chief Engineer Canals Qurban Ali Jatoi, Superintending Engineer Irrigation Circle Nasirabad Mudassir Zafar Khosa made a detailed visit to Kachhi Canal Phase I. Executive Engineer Kachhi Canal Elahi Bakhsh Gajani accompanied him.

According to Wapda officials, the Kachhi Canal Phase I project has been completed. The section of the canal from RD 1183 to RD 1319 is to be handed over to the Balochistan Irrigation Department. During the inspection, defects were identified at several points along the canal. The officials concerned were directed to complete the repairs promptly and to a good standard.

Wapda Superintending Engineer Waheed Hussain Sheikh briefed the visitors on the construction stages and progress of the project.

Irrigation of hundreds of thousands of acres

Mudassir Zafar Khosa said Kachhi Canal Phase I was a highly important project for the backward and agricultural areas of Balochistan. He said regular water supply through the canal would help irrigate hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland and create opportunities to make barren and uninhabited land cultivable.

He said the Irrigation Department was taking practical steps to improve the canal system and ensure fair distribution of water in the wider interest of farmers. He said water supply from Phase I would ease the difficulties of growers, open new paths to development and prosperity in the area, and reduce dependence on tube wells and other costly means of irrigation.

According to him, the project would brighten the prospects of higher yields of wheat, sugarcane, cotton, vegetables and other crops, which would raise farmers’ incomes and create new job opportunities. He said the promotion of agricultural activity would also strengthen local markets, business and livestock. He added that Kachhi Canal could become the foundation of an agricultural revolution in Balochistan and play an important role in food security and the stability of the rural economy.

Photos: courtesy DGPR Balochistan