Rs 22.86 billion released for construction of Kachhi Canal: National Assembly told

Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Monday told the National Assembly that a sum of Rs 22.86 billion has been released for construction of Kachhi Canal. In written reply to a question, the minister said that a total of Rs 5.87 billion were released in 2006-07, Rs 7.4 billion in 2007-08, Rs 3.35 billion in 2008-09 and Rs 1.47 billion in 2009-10.
He said that the project started on 04-10-2002 and it would be completed in three phases. He said that final phase would be completed on 30-06-2012. In reply to another question, the minister said that the reach of 300kms in Punjab province is plain cement concrete (PCC) lining and not brick lining.
He further said that portion of Kachhi canal falls in Balochistan area, which was proposed to be constructed as unlined canal due to reason that underground water is deep up to 150 ft, and seepage would recharge the aquifer to reuse it for drinking and irrigation purposes in future. However, it was decided to carry out the concrete lining of distributaries only under Phase-I falling in District Dera Bugti Balochistan, he said.