Abbasi opens 80 billion 1 st phase of Kachhi Canal
- September 15, 2017, 9:04 pm
- National News
- 193 Views
DERA BUGTI, Sep 14 (APP): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Thursday inaugurated the Rs 80 bln Kachhi Canal designed to turn 72,000 acres of barren land in Balochistan green.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi unveiled a plaque marking the historic occasion, as water flowed in from the Taunsa Barrage on Indus River, to irrigate virgin land in the far-flung and backward areas of Dera Bugti district of Balochistan province. The discharge capacity of the main canal is 6,000 cusecs and 914 structures have been constructed. The 363 kilometre long main canal (out of which 351 kilometre has been lined) has been completed at a cost of about Rs. 80 billion.
Work on the Kachhi Canal was started 15 years ago, however it fell victim to gross cost overrun and long delays. Keeping in view the importance of the project it was revitalized with the active support of the Federal Government and commitment of WAPDA.
Kachhi Canal is a vital project to ensure economic development and social uplift in the remote 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 water from the Indus River System thereby enabling the local residents to cultivate their lands and accrue economic benefits.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Abdul Qadir Baloch, Provincial minister Sarfraz Bugti, Acting President PML-N Sardar Yaqoob Nassar and others were also present.
Addressing on the occasion Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said future of Balochistan is in hands of people of the province. The day is not far away when it would be the richest province of Pakistan. Kachhi Canal would bring green revolution in the province. Federal and provincial governments were engaged in building Balochistan and prosperity of the people. Long standing water issue of Dera Bugti has been resolve.
He said ongoing mega projects would raise living standard of people and fruits of development would soon be accrued.
He sid inauguraitonof first pahs eo f Kachhi Canal is encouraging. This phase constits of 363 Kilometre infrastructure and distribuitonfo wter system. He congratulated Ministry of wter , WAPDA and other institutions relating to the project. He said he was sure tht compeltionfo this project would usher in new era of social economic development. He sid PML-N government accorded top priority to welfare andprosperity of people of Baohcistan. Compeltionof first pahs e of Kachhi canal is reflection of federal government commitment for Balochistan’s progress and prosperity which was ignored since long.
He said federal government was taking special measures to ensure food security in the country besides fulfilling its promises with the people and completion of new projects within possible minimum time. Kachhi canal project is among one of them. Work on second Phase of this project would soon be undertaken. Govenrment of Pakistan would continue its strives for progress and prosperity of people of Bachistna and their welfare. H esaid a separate ministyr has bene established for resolving wter issues. He sid the day is not far away when Balochistna would be richest province of Paksitna.
Federal Minsite rAhsan Iqbal, Balochistna Cheif Misniter Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Federl Minsiter Abdul Qadir Baloch, Home Minsiter SArfraz bugti also addressed the gathering.
Earlier upon arrival at Der Abugti Chief of Bugti Jan Muhamamd bugti put turbans on Prime Minsiter and other guests as per Baochistan traditions.
