Get Kachchi canal functional, urges Bugti

Says the situation in Balochistan is turning dire, with locals relocating

QUETTA:

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti stressed the urgent need to immediately restore the Kachchi Canal, which was severely affected by the 2022 floods. He expressed these views during a Planning Commission meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal.

The meeting, held on Tuesday, also included participation from provincial officials via video link."The immediate restoration of Kachchi Canal is necessary," Bugti stated. He highlighted that the situation faced by the province was nothing short of critical.

The Kachchi Canal project, initiated in 2002 and revitalized in 2013, had started irrigating 100,000 hectares of previously barren land in Balochistan in its first phase. However, the devastating floods in 2022 damaged the canal infrastructure, leading to a complete halt in water supply.

The chief minister outlined the severe consequences of the canal's closure, which include the cessation of agricultural activities in the command area and a scarcity of drinking water. He pointed out that this had forced local communities to relocate. "Farmers are suffering, and without urgent action, the situation will only worsen," Bugti warned.

He called for immediate desilting operations to restore water flow, emphasising the canal's vital role in supporting agriculture and providing essential resources to residents. While recognising the necessity of a long-term flood prevention strategy, Bugti insisted that immediate measures must be taken to address the current crisis.

In response, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal agreed with the chief minister's assessment, affirming the federal government's commitment to swiftly address the issue. "Water delivery in the Kachchi Canal must resume within the next five to six months," Iqbal directed. He signaled a focused effort on immediate relief while longer-term solutions are developed.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for quick action to restore the canal's functionality, with both federal and provincial leaders underscoring the importance of the Kachchi Canal to the region's economy and wellbeing.