ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (ABC): The ongoing lining of the Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper has helped create an estimated 83,300 acre-feet of additional water storage at Keenjhar Lake, strengthening the buffer available for Karachi’s water supply during the critical summer period.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, Keenjhar Lake’s water level stood at 49.40 feet on June 2, 2026. The Sindh Irrigation Department described it as the best level recorded for that date and attributed the improvement to reduced seepage from completed canal lining sections.
The PCC Lining of Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper (KBFU), Phase-I project involves cement-concrete lining of 189.67 RDs, equivalent to 57.81 kilometres. The project aims to reduce water losses and secure a reliable and sustainable bulk water supply corridor for Karachi.
So far, the project has completed lining of 138.05 RDs, or 42.08 kilometres. This has taken overall physical progress to 78%, while another 15.73 kilometres remain to be completed.
Financial progress reaches 78%
Financial progress has also reached 78%, with Rs31.542 billion released and spent on the project.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the scheme on July 19, 2023, at a cost of Rs39.943 billion.
The project’s cost has subsequently been revised to Rs50.989 billion. However, the revised cost is awaiting approval from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).
The federal and Sindh governments are financing the project on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis, while the Sindh Irrigation Department is serving as the executing agency.
The implementation period runs from 2023-24 to 2026-27. According to the Irrigation Department, work is progressing in line with the revised schedule.
Project to reduce 510 cusecs of seepage
Once completed, the canal lining is designed to eliminate 510 cusecs of seepage losses from the water conveyance system.
The project will also help meet the K-IV Phase-I requirement of 260 million gallons per day for Karachi through Keenjhar Lake. This requirement is equivalent to around 500 cusecs.
Package-wise data shows that Package-2 is the most advanced. Contractors have completed 60.50 RDs of lining, taking physical progress on the package to 96%.
Package-1 has reached 56% physical progress, with 36.25 RDs lined. Package-3 stands at 70%, with 41.30 RDs completed.
Allied infrastructure also advances
Work is also progressing on allied infrastructure under the project.
The five-barrel, 1,734-foot superpassage at RD-90 has reached 90% completion and is already functional.
Construction of a prestressed bridge at RD-151 is also underway. The Irrigation Department has targeted completion of the bridge by the end of August 2026.
Meanwhile, bank protection works along the tail reaches between RD-151 and RD-189 have reached 80% completion.
According to the Irrigation Department, the project’s 78% financial progress is in line with its 78% physical progress.
The department maintains that the Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper lining project remains on track for completion within its approved implementation period ending in 2026-27. Once completed, it is expected to further reduce conveyance losses and strengthen the reliability of Karachi’s water supply through Keenjhar Lake.
