DERA GHAZI KHAN, Aug 2: Work on Kacchi canal project had been started without obtaining an NOC from the Environment Protection Agency, it is learnt.

An NOC is necessary under section 16(7) of the Environment Act, 1997, for the final approval of the project.

Interestingly, Water and Power Development Authority on Monday invited objections to the project at the circuit house, though the work had been started many months ago. Representatives of the federal and provincial environment agencies were present.

Wapda had invited the villagers for their objections to the project. According to a report prepared by Wapda, the execution authorities have completed four of the eight stages of the project.

It is learnt that the work on the canal had started even without the approval of the PC-1 of the project. When contacted, environment agency's Chaudhry Nadeem Ahmad told this correspondent that Wapda had applied for an NOC three months ago, and the process would take some time.

Meanwhile, the villagers demanded construction of watercourses over the canal to for their lands. As many as 400 water lifting pumps are working on the western bank of the Dera Ghazi Khan canal, which the irrigation department claims are illegal. Wapda has assured the farmers that watercourses will be constructed.

Residents of Ghuman village demanded increase in compensation amount for the land being used for the project. Deputy District Officer (Revenue) Syed Imtiaz Shah told the residents that their demand would be sent to Board of Revenue authorities.

He said 2,741 people of 28 villages, out of 9,866 people of 38 villages, had been compensated. Of the Rs403 million allocated for the purpose, he said, a sum of Rs151.65 million had been given to the affected people.