DERA GHAZI KHAN, Jan 10: Wapda member (water) Muhammad Amin has said the Kachhi Canal project will be completed in time as efforts are being made in this regard. He was speaking to the staff members during his visit to the site on Sunday.

Mr Amin stressed on speeding up the pace of work for timely completion of the project for the benefit of people living in remote areas of Kachhi. He directed the consultants to find out an appropriate solution for water course crossings.

He emphasized on expediting studies to start construction of head regulator as scheduled. He directed the project director to ensure early payment of crop compensation, property damages and land compensation to the affected land owners.

The ground breaking ceremony of the canal project was performed by President Musharraf on Oct 4. The canal, emanating from Taunsa barrage, would run parallel to the Dera Ghazi Khan canal through Dera and Rajanpur districts.

The first 300 kilometres of the canal in the Punjab would be bricklined and the remaining 200 kms in Balochistan would be earthen. The command area falls in Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Bolan and Jhal Magsi in Balochistan.

The main objective of the project is to develop 713,000 acres of fertile land by providing it 6,000 cusecs of water to Kachhi plain located in the comparatively less developed area of Balochistan.