Water crisis worsens as KB feeder canal work remains incomplete

KARACHI:

The water crisis in Sindh has worsened. Despite a month having passed, the lining work on the KB feeder canal, which originates from the Kotri Barrage, remains incomplete. As a result, millions of people in Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Kotri, and surrounding areas are growing increasingly anxious due to the severe water shortage.

According to sources, the project aimed to complete 45 ardees (eight kilometres of work within the stipulated timeframe. However, only half of the work, approximately 25 ardees (five kilometers), has been completed so far.

A total of Rs40 billion project has been launched by the federal and Sindh government to increase the water capacity in the Kalri Baghar feeder, originating from the Kotri Barrage to supply water to the K-4 project. The Upper KB feeder consisting of 36 kilometres and 190 ardees, to be completed by 2027 as per PC-1.

The Irrigation Department had closed the K feeder for water for 24 days from December 20 to January 13, the work of which has not been completed yet. At the time of funding for the K-4 project, the World Bank had set a condition that the capacity of the K feeder would be increased. Initially, the B feeder had a discharge capacity of 7,600 cusecs of water. After the project's completion, the capacity will increase to 9,800 cusecs of water flow.