QUETTA, July 20: The work on the Kachhi canal project would be launched by Sept 30 and President Gen Pervez Musharraf would lay down the foundation stone at Tunnisa barrage. Balochistan Irrigation Minister Sardar Mehdi Hussan Musa disclosed this here on Saturday.

The project would cost Rs44 billion and after completion around 800,000 acre of barren land in Kachhi, Sibi and other districts would be irrigated.

Mr Musa said that due to the objection raised by Punjab the design of the proposed canal has been changed. Initially the design of the canal was prepared from Kot Methin and cost estimated at Rs44 billion.

The Punjab government raised an objection that with the construction of the Kachhi canal from Kot Methin would cause a loss of several hundred thousand acres of land in Punjab.

President Musharraf directed the concerned authorities that the issue should be resolved through negotiation. In view of the president’s directives two meetings were held between Punjab, Balochistan and Wapda authorities, which reviewed the Punjab’s objection and its all aspects.

The experts and concerned officials agreed with Punjab’s point of view and decided to launch Kachhi canal from Tunnisa Barrage instead of Kot Methin.