DERA GHAZI KHAN: The 430-kilometre-long Kachchi canal, completed under a Rs 70 billion project to irrigate agriculture land in Balochistan, is expected to be inaugurated on September 15.
Around 1,500 cusecs water would be released into the newly- developed canal from Taunsa Barrage on Aug 31 and it would reach Dera Bugti (Balochistan) after 15 days, Project Manager Ehsaanullah Khan Marwat said.
Marwat said remaining 100-kilometre part of the canal would be completed in the next phase. He said the canal had a depth of 17 feet and water level would be four feet after releasing 1,500 cusecs water. Water level in Kachchi canal can reach upto 14 feet in case of releasing water in higher volume, that would make it run on its full capacity of 5,000 to 5,500 cusecs water. At Taunsa Barrage, the start point of the canal, the width of its bed is 200 feet while distance between its two banks was 300 feet. However, upon reaching Dera Bugti, its bed would reduce to 70 feet and distance between banks 170 feet.
The mega irrigation project was inaugurated in 2004 to meet the irrigation water needs of Balochistan.
It may be noted that Kachchi canal was meant for only Balochistan farming community and Rangers would be deployed from Taunsa Barrage to Punjab-Balochistan boundary to guard the 430-kilometres long canal so that no one could steal water from it and Balochistan could get water as per its needs.
The project would open a new window of opportunity for farmers in Balochistan placing many options before them to sow whichever crop they want and prosper.
