Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo, Federal Minister for Water Resources, chaired a crucial meeting today to accelerate the Kachhi Canal Phases II and III and RBOD-I and II projects.

The meeting, attended by the Chief Ministers of Sindh and Balochistan, Syed Murad Ali Shah and Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti respectively, along with the Chairman of WAPDA and officials from various government divisions, emphasized the projects’ critical importance for the region”s development.

The committee, formed in January 2024, aims to expedite the remaining canal phases and address flood-related issues in Balochistan, including rehabilitating the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) systems. Minister Wattoo stressed the need for swift implementation, recognizing the projects’ strategic value for Balochistan’s socio-economic growth. Technical aspects were discussed extensively, considering the viewpoints of both provincial leaders.

A key decision was the formation of a Joint Technical Group, led by the Additional Secretary Water Resources. This group, composed of representatives from WAPDA and the irrigation departments of Sindh and Balochistan, will resolve outstanding issues, especially those raised by Sindh, and propose solutions within three weeks.

The meeting also decided to submit a conditional PC-I for Kachhi Canal Phase-II to the Planning Commission, with potential revisions based on the Joint Working Group’s recommendations. Minister Wattoo called the meeting a significant advancement, highlighting the project”s crucial role in Balochistan”s agricultural and financial progress. He emphasized the urgency of timely execution to unlock the region’s economic potential.