QUETTA: After delay of more than a decade, the construction of Kachhi Canal Project will finally be completed by third week of August followed by filling of water to test the main canal and its structures, while formal commissioning of Kachhi Canal is scheduled by end August 2017 with release of water into the distribution system for irrigation of 72000 acres of virgin land in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan province. This was briefed by the project authorities in a meeting presided over by chairman Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt Gen (r) Muzammil Hussain on Saturday. The meeting was held to review progress on the project. Speaking on the occasion, Hussain said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that Kachhi Canal, started 15 years ago, was almost an abandoned project owing to certain reasons, gross cost overrun and long delays being the major contributing factors. However, the project was revitalized due to active support of the federal government and commitment of WAPDA team, the engineers in particular. It is indeed heartening to note that the project is finally going to see light of the day after a long period of 15 years, the chairman added. Kachhi Canal project is of immense importance for development of water infrastructure and irrigated agriculture in Balochistan. Kachhi Canal Project is being completed with a cost of about Rs 80 billion. The 363-Kilometer long main canal (out of which 351-Kilometer is lined canal) takes off from Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffargarh district of Punjab province and ends at Dera Bugti district in Balochistan. Discharge capacity of the main canal is 6000 cusecs. As many as 914 structures have been constructed at or over the main canal including head and cross regulators, road and railways bridges, cross drainage and escape structures and watercourse crossings. Published in Daily Times, August 13th 2017.