DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Provincial minister for irrigation Riaz Khan on Monday formally inaugurated the annual canal desilting, maintenance and rehabilitation campaign at Shami Road, Peshawar.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Member Provincial Assembly Mian Sharfat Ali Khan, Secretary Irrigation Abdul Basit, senior officials of the Irrigation Department and other concerned officers.
Officials briefed the minister in detail on the ongoing desilting operations as well as maintenance and rehabilitation projects across the province.
During the briefing, it was informed that the Irrigation Department was responsible for monitoring and maintaining a canal network stretching over 4,060 kilometres across the province.
Under the current campaign, desilting work is being carried out on 2,030 kilometres of canals, which constitutes 50 percent of the total canal system.
For this purpose, an amount of Rs 441.27 million has been allocated.
The officials further stated that Rs 285.64 million has been earmarked for the repair of canal embankments, lining and related structures, while Rs 89.63 million has been allocated for the rehabilitation of tube wells and lift irrigation schemes, including electrical and mechanical works.
Additionally, Rs 83.47 million has been set aside for flood protection and drainage-related projects.
Addressing the ceremony, Provincial Minister Riaz Khan said that the Irrigation Department maintains vital infrastructure including canals, distribution systems, headworks, tube wells, lift irrigation schemes and flood protection structures throughout the province.
He said this infrastructure irrigates more than 2.5 million acres of agricultural land, providing livelihoods to farmers and serving as the backbone of the province’s food security.
said the campaign has been launched in a comprehensive manner in line with the special directives and vision of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
The minister added that every year, during canal closures from January to February, desilting, embankment strengthening and structural repair works are carried out to ensure uninterrupted water supply during the cultivation season.
The provincial minister explained that the primary objective of desilting is to restore the water-carrying capacity of canals, minimize water losses and ensure equitable water distribution, particularly to tail-end farmers.
He clarified that the removed silt is temporarily placed along canal banks for two to three days and later disposed of in accordance with prescribed procedures, while strictly adhering to environmental standards and safety regulations.
Riaz Khan said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the provincial government was fully committed to modernizing the canal system, improving maintenance standards and meeting environmental requirements.
He directed officials to complete all development and maintenance works in a transparent and timely manner in accordance with approved standards, warning that negligence or laxity would not be tolerated.
He added that these initiatives would contribute to better water management, enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainable solutions to farmers’ problems.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to public welfare, he said the Irrigation Department would utilize all available resources to resolve public issues and ensure equal development and facilities across all regions of the province without discrimination.
