LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said on Monday the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) project will prove to be a game changer for agriculture in the Dera Ghazi Khan region as the water supply would improve in CRBC after the irrigation department took control of the lower part of the canal from the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

He said the parties concerned had reached a consensus regarding the control of the canal.

Mr Buzdar was addressing a ceremony held to sign an agreement between Wapda and the irrigation department regarding the canal control at the Chief Minister Office.

Wapda General Manager Abdul Qayyum and Irrigation Department DG Khan Chief Engineer Sajid Rizvi signed the agreement. Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muzzamil Hussain, Punjab Irrigation Minister Mohsin Leghari, Punjab government spokesman Hasaan Khawar, the chief secretary, secretary irrigation and officials concerned were present.

The CM said funds would be allocated for repair of the dilapidated section of the canal and announced that the staff of the Punjab portion of the CRBC would also be merged.

Mohsin Leghari said the scheduling and maintenance of the canal would improve after the agreement.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2022