Balochistan Restores Flood-Damaged Kachhi Canal, Irrigating 50,000 Acres in Dera Bugti

Quetta, Pakistan:In a significant development, the **Balochistan Irrigation Department** has successfully **restored the Kachhi Canal**, which was severely damaged during the devastating floods of 2022. This restoration has reinstated irrigation to **over 50,000 acres of agricultural land** in Dera Bugti, offering much-needed relief to farmers in the region.

The department has also launched an **emergency canal desilting campaign across the province**, aiming to improve water flow and agricultural productivity. According to **Secretary Irrigation Hafiz Abdul Majeed**, most of the province’s canals are unlined and experience continuous water flow, which leads to the accumulation of **silt and river sand**, hampering smooth water distribution.

To counter this, an **annual canal desilting program** is carried out during planned water closures. For 2025, the desilting operations are being conducted from **April 15 to April 30**. On the **special directive of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti**, a **fund of PKR 100 million** has been released to ensure the effectiveness of the operation.

The desilting of the **Main Pat Feeder Canal** has begun successfully at **RD 245**, where **two bulldozers and nine excavators** are currently working to clear blockages. An additional **bulldozer and three excavators** will be deployed at the site by April 20 to speed up the process. Work is being carried out in **two 9-hour shifts daily** to maximize progress.

The department has set a clear **target to complete the entire desilting operation by May 5**. Field teams have been given strict instructions to avoid any negligence, and all available resources are being mobilized to achieve the goal on time.

Under the leadership of **Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti** and **Provincial Irrigation Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani**, robust measures are being implemented to **modernize and maintain Balochistan’s irrigation system**. The restoration of canals, structured desilting plans, and the use of modern machinery mark a vital step toward **agricultural development**, which will directly contribute to the **economic uplift and prosperity of farmers** in Balochistan.

**Key Highlights:**
– Kachhi Canal restoration brings irrigation back to 50,000 acres in Dera Bugti.
– Province-wide emergency desilting operation underway from April 15–30.
– PKR 100 million allocated for efficient desilting work.
– Target completion date set for May 5.
– Leadership emphasizes modernization and efficiency to boost agricultural growth.