Pakistan surprises China and India by starting work capable of transforming desert into river. Discover the surreal Kachhi Canal Project with enough water to fill 272 swimming pools!

Capable of bringing water and prosperity to the Pakistani desert, the Kachhi Canal will transform the region into an artificial river, changing the reality of the population.

Many regions around the world suffer from a lack of water, an essential resource for both human consumption and agriculture. One such region is the north of Balochistan province in Pakistan. The lack of water has impeded the economic development of the area and made life difficult for its inhabitants. But the South Asian country decided to face this challenge with an ambitious project: the Kachhi Channel. This canal has the ability to transform a desert into an artificial river, bringing water to one of the most arid regions of Pakistan.

Discover the Kachhi Canal, the project that can transform desert into artificial river

The Kachhi Canal is an impressive feat of engineering, with a maximum flow of 6.000 cubic feet per second. This means that, in just one hour, it transports enough water to fill 272 Olympic-size swimming pools! The purpose of the canal is to supply water to irrigate 73.000 acres of barren or partially cultivable land in Balochistan, allowing agriculture to flourish where it was previously impossible.

Construction of the Kachhi Canal began in 2002, and was expected to be completed in 2008. However, due to financing problems and other setbacks, the work faced several stoppages. Despite these challenges, the project to transform desert into an artificial river was never canceled and now, more than 20 years later, it is close to completion. Since 2017, parts of the canal have been operational, supplying water to the southern Punjabi and northern Punjabi regions. Balochistan.

Channel structure and functioning

The Kachhi Canal begins at the Taunsa Dam on the Indus River, which is one of Pakistan's main sources of water. The canal was designed in three phases. In the first phase, a 399-kilometer main canal was constructed, including 305 kilometers in Punjabi and 94 kilometers in Balochistan. In addition to the main canal, a network of irrigation canals extends for 1.500 kilometers, ensuring that water reaches all agricultural fields in the region.

The construction of the Kachhi Canal will not only bring water to a desert region but will also bring several economic benefits. Profits from the project are estimated to be 19,7 billion rupees per year, which is equivalent to approximately 710 million dollars.

Considering that the total cost of the project to transform desert into an artificial river is 290 million dollars, the investment is expected to be recovered in around four years. Furthermore, the availability of water will allow cultivation of more corn, wheat, vegetables and oilseeds, helping to lift many families out of poverty.

Challenges in the construction of this engineering project in Pakistan

Building a 50-kilometer irrigation canal in a desert region is no easy task. Workers brave the scorching heat as they operate heavy machinery to excavate and prepare the canal bed. It is necessary to build temporary roads to facilitate the movement of construction equipment. The channel bed is trapezoid-shaped, with inclined side walls to prevent landslides and ensure the stability of the structure.

For the Kachhi Channel to function properly, several complementary structures are required, such as bridges for vehicles and people, secondary channels and pipes. Regulating gates were installed along the canal to control water flow, and an automatic control system has been developed to ensure equitable distribution of the water. More than 900 diverse structures have already been built on the main canal, and this number is expected to increase in phases two and three of the project.

Kachhi Canal will become Pakistan's biggest irrigation route

In 2022, the project faced a major challenge due to flooding that damaged part of the canal. Reconstruction of these sections cost $30 million and delayed the start of the expanded phase of the artificial river. Despite this, work continues and the expectation is that construction will be completed as quickly as possible, transforming the desert into an artificial river and improving the lives of millions of people in Pakistan.

When the Kachhi Canal is fully completed, it will become Pakistan's largest irrigation route. Around 2 million people will see an improvement in their lives thanks to continuous and reliable access to water. In addition to bringing water, the canal will also boost the region's economic and social development, allowing local residents to cultivate their lands and improve their conditions of life.

The Kachhi Canal is an inspiring example of how engineering and determination they can transform a desert into an artificial river, bringing life and prosperity to arid regions. Pakistan is about to inaugurate one of the largest irrigation projects in its history, demonstrating that, with vision and effort, it is possible to overcome even the most difficult challenges.