QUETTA: The federal government has decided to allocate a large portion of savings from the global oil price dip to the Kachhi Canal project. The funds will help to complete Phase 2 of the canal.
The Kachhi Canal is vital for Balochistan’s agriculture. It stretches nearly 500 kilometers, starting from the Taunsa Barrage on the Indus River. Of this, 399 kilometers pass through Punjab and 94 kilometers through Balochistan. The canal aims to irrigate about 720,000 acres in Balochistan and 30,000 acres in Punjab.
A recent meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Sarfaz Bugti discussed the status of the project. Provincial ministers, secretaries, project directors, and senior officials attended. Authorities briefed the participants on ongoing repairs in Phase 1, damaged by the 2022 floods. They stressed the need for timely completion and warned of severe consequences if delays continue.
Balochistan has faced a water crisis for nearly two years due to the damage. Farmland has dried up. Farmers and landowners are in crisis. Many can no longer sustain their livelihoods.
Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti highlighted the despair in rural areas. Farmers are frustrated. Years of hard work have gone to waste. Without immediate action, the situation could worsen.
The Kachhi Canal is more than an irrigation project. It is a lifeline for farmers and their families. The canal’s damage in the first phase of the 2022 flood forced people to migrate from affected areas and decline and the rural economy.
Chief Minister Bugti has made it clear: no more delays. Phase 1 repairs should finish by November 15. After that, water will flow again to Balochistan. This date gives hope, but doubts remain about whether the work will finish on time.
The feasibility report for Phase 2 is ready. All necessary formalities are complete. Construction can begin once approvals and funds are released.
Kachhi Canal was once seen as a symbol of progress. Now, delays have turned it into a source of frustration. The Chief Minister has directed that all work must meet high technical standards. Authorities must prevent leakage and water wastage.
The government must act fast. Funds and approvals must be released without delay. This project can revive agriculture, restore livelihoods, and give hope to a struggling population.
Chief Secretary Balochistan will now oversee the project’s progress. This is a good step. But supervision alone is not enough. Officials must stay focused and committed until the project is complete.
Balochistan’s agricultural potential has suffered long enough. It’s time to change that. The people of Balochistan deserve a working canal, a revived economy, and a better future.
