CM directs speedy work on remodeling of vital Warsak Canal System

Urges completion of grid station, transmission line

PESHAWAR:

Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has expressed displeasure over delay in the completion of the remodeling of Warsak Canal System Project in Peshawar and Nowshera districts.

He was chairing a meeting to review progress on remodeling of Warsak Canal System Project. The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure approval of the revised PC-1 of the project from executive committee of National Economic Council in its upcoming meeting so that the project could be completed without any further delay. He has termed the project of vital importance for irrigating agricultural lands in Peshawar and Nowshera and said that early completion of that project is one of the top priorities of his government.

He further said that the completion of project would strengthen the canals system in Peshawar and Nowshera and would help irrigate thousands acres of additional land in these two districts. The meeting was briefed about the project and informed that under the remodeling of the project, a 5.2 km long new tunnel was being constructed which would enable discharge of 700 cubic feet of water out of which 300 cubic feet could be used for drinking purposes.

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The meeting was further informed that the remodeling would increase the capacity of the Main Water Governance Center from 550 cusecs to 950 cusecs. Similarly, the capacity of Warsak Gravity Canal will be increased from 350 cusecs to 456 cusecs while the capacity of existing Warsak Pump House will be increased from 200 to 290 cusecs. Besides, installation of four new pumps, improvement of main canal and lining were also part of the remodeling project. Under the project, work was also underway on 132 KV transmission line and grid station.

The required funds have already been released to Tesco for this purpose. The meeting was told that the revised PC-1 of the project has been approved by the Central Development Working Party but approval from ECNEC is yet to be sought.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2021.