Punjab-IRSA Water Rift Deepens Over Canal Dispute
The Punjab Irrigation Department has asked the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to implement its technical and advisory committees’ decisions. “The pressure over Mangla Dam will increase if the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal is not opened,” the irrigation department said.
Sources said that after the telecast of a report about the Punjab government’s letter written 10 days ago to IRSA, the river authority had partially opened the Taunsa-Punjnad link canal, but the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal was not opened.
“The flow of Taunsa-Punjnad link canal was also restricted to 3800 cusecs instead of 12,000 cusecs,” sources said.
“The Sindh government has objected to the opening of these two link canals,” sources said. Sindh’s irrigation officials have said that these link canals could only be opened during floods in the river, sources added.
The Indus River System Authority has recently enhanced the provinces’ water quota by 16 per cent for irrigation after inflow of water from rain and rivers in reservoirs.
A spokesperson of the IRSA said that the water shortage of provinces has been decreased from 43 per cent to 27 per cent.
“Punjab is being provided 64,800 cusecs of water share, while Sindh is being given 45,000 cusecs of water for irrigation,” the river authority official said.
“The IRSA is releasing 500 cusecs of water to Baluchistan, while 1900 cusecs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the spokesman added.
Amid a drought situation that has caused decrease in river water for irrigation, a row over construction of new canals on the Indus has further deepened the rift between Sindh’s PPP led government and the PML-N led federal and Punjab governments.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.
