Kachhi Canal Project

The Kachhi Canal Project is a 499-km long canal project situated in the Balochistan and Punjab Provinces of Pakistan. It starts from Taunsa Barrage at Indus River and terminates in Balochistan. The canal provides sustainable irrigation water supply to 72,000 acres of agricultural land in Balochistan and 30,000 acres of land in Punjab. Cost of the project, after its revision is now Rs.80.5 billion.[1] The water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture in Balochistan will achieve a landmark, when Kachhi Canal Project will be completed. The project was started in 2002, was almost abandoned due to grossly cost and time overrun for various reasons. [2]

Kachhi Canal Project
LocationPakistan: Baluchistan, Punjab,
CountryPakistan
Established2002 (2002)
BudgetPKR 80 billion
StatusCompleted and Operational (phase-I only)
Websitewww.wapda.gov.pk

The length of main canal is 399 km, out of which 305 km lies in Punjab region while 94 km are in Balochistan. Kachi Kanal project is divided into three phases. As of August 2020, Phase 1 has been completed while phase 2 and phase 3 are under construction.[3]

  1. Total Phase-1 Length is 399 KM [305 KM Punjab+ 94 Baluchistan]
  2. Total Phase-2 Length is 60 KM [60 KM Baluchistan] -- Not yet started by Wapda as of March 2022
  3. Total Phase-3 Length is 40 KM [40 KM Baluchistan] -- Not yet started by Wapda as of March 2022

Phase 1 comprise of 6 sections as shown below:

  1. KC-1 -- 6 KM -- Completed.
  2. KC-2 -- 20 KM -- Completed.
  3. KC-3 -- 6 KM -- Completed.
  4. KC-4 -- 129 KM -- Completed.
  5. KC-5 -- 144 KM -- Completed.
  6. KC-6A -- 49 KM -- In Progress.
  7. KC-6B -- 45 KM -- In Progress.

Phase 2 comprise of 1 section as shown below:

  1. KC-7 -- 60 KM -- Not Started.

Phase 3 comprise of 1 section as shown below:

  1. KC-8 -- 40 KM -- Not Started.

Total System Length after completion of all phased will be 499 KM [399KM + 60KM+ 40 KM], Baluchistan would get 194 KM, and Punjab will get 304 KM of Kanal.


The 399 kilometer long main canal (out of which 351 kilometers is lined) takes off from Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffar Garh district of Punjab province and ends at Dera Bugti district in Balochistan province. The discharge capacity of the main canal is 6000 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.[4]

Construction

The project was inaugurated in October 2002 at Tausa Barrage. Completion of project is scheduled in 3 phases [5]

  • Phase-I - in district Dera Bugti (will irrigate 102,000 acres)
  • Phase-II - in district Bolan & Naseerabad (will irrigate 267,000 acres)
  • Phase-III - in district Bolan, Naseerabad and Jhal Magsi (will irrigate 344,000 acres)

Several revised deadlines for completion of the project have been given in past but the project is not yet completed and work is ongoing at slow pace. Phase-I (Part A&B) was completed in August 2017 and inaugurated on September 14, 2017 by then Prime Minister Mr. Shahid Khaqan. When completed, 72,000 acres of virgin land will be irrigated. [6]

See also

References
  1. "CDWP approves 258% increase in cost of Kachhi Canal project". 7 February 2017.
  2. "Issue Brief on "Kachhi Canal Project" | Institute of Stategic Studies Islamabad".
  3. http://www.wapda.gov.pk/index.php/newsmedia/news-views/529-wapda-starts-process-to-construct-remaining-works-of-kachhi-canal-phase-i-also-initiates-process-to-carry-out-phase-ii-phase-iii-feasibility-studies
  4. http://www.wapda.gov.pk/index.php/newsmedia/news-views/240-construction-of-kachhi-canal-project
  5. "Kachhi Canal project remains pipedream for last 10 years".
  6. http://www.wapda.gov.pk/index.php/projects/water-sector/o-m/kachhi-canal-project

Further reading
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