Governor Issues Directives on Canal Water Crisis
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday directed WAPDA authorities to take immediate and effective measures to address the water shortage in the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) and resolve the concerns of farmers in Dera Ismail Khan. The Governor issued the directives during a meeting with WAPDA General Manager (North) Alamgir Awan and Chief Engineer Taj Ali at the Governor House.
The meeting reviewed the prevailing water situation in the Chashma Right Bank Canal, the irrigation system, and the problems being faced by farmers in the southern districts, particularly Dera Ismail Khan.
Water Theft and Losses Highlighted
During the briefing, the WAPDA General Manager informed the Governor that around 4,000 cusecs of water was currently being released into the canal, but nearly 900 cusecs was being lost due to water theft, severely affecting water supply to the tail-end areas.
Expressing serious concern over the continued water shortage, Governor Kundi said the canal benefited not only Dera Ismail Khan but also other southern districts of the province. He said the delay in rehabilitation of the canal had adversely affected the water distribution system, causing significant losses to farmers and agricultural production. He added that the shortage had forced farmers to stage protests as crops were not receiving timely irrigation.
Coordination and Future Plans
The Governor said he had also contacted officials of the provincial Irrigation Department to ensure effective coordination among all relevant institutions for fair distribution of water. He further said he would soon meet the Chairman WAPDA and other concerned authorities to discuss rehabilitation of the canal, prevention of water theft and a sustainable solution to the issue.
Healthcare Initiative for KP
Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Kundi welcomed the establishment of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) in Dera Ismail Khan and termed it a major healthcare initiative for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a congratulatory message, he thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for launching the project. He said the SIUT facility would be established at a cost of Rs1 billion and described it as a valuable gift of the Pakistan Peoples Party to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Governor said the process of acquiring land for the project was in its final stages and expressed hope that work on the facility would begin soon following the formal announcement made by the Sindh chief minister in the provincial assembly.
