ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved an additional $48 million for the Balochistan Water Resources Development Project in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, the bank confirmed, saying it would enhance irrigation efficiency and promote sustainable water use in the province.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area but also its driest and faces a severe water crisis due to minimal rainfall and the absence of any major rivers there. It is also Pakistan’s most backward province by almost all social and economic indicators, reeling from a separatist insurgency for the past few decades.
According to the ADB, the project will improve land and water resources, agricultural production and farm income of 10,000 rural households across six districts of Balochistan. These districts are located in the southwestern Zhob, Kacchi plain, Dasht and Hingol river basins.
“This funding will support the completion of critical project components, including the Churi Infiltration Gallery subproject, development of the Siri Toi Dam command area and watershed management activities, which were previously delayed due to budgetary constraints,” the ADB said in a report.
The report said that an “innovative” piped water distribution network will be introduced in the Siri Toi area, adding that the system will ensure higher efficiency, reduced conveyance losses, and improved service delivery compared to traditional open-channel water systems.
