ISLAMABAD:A major irrigation project is set to expand water availability to areas adjoining the proposed CPEC City near Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with plans to develop irrigation infrastructure across a command area covering over 10,930 acres.
According official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project titled “Pehur High Level Canal Extension (PHLCE) Project – Additional Area: Lot-4” proposes extensive irrigation and command area development (CAD) in strategically located agricultural zones.
According to the project layout, Lot-4 comprises three major components: the Indus Ambar Additional Command Area (3,234 hectares), the Indus Ambar HEIS/PDN Area (464 hectares), and the Nandrak Area (726 hectares).
The documents reveal that one of the project areas lies south of the M-1 Motorway and west of the Indus Branch Canal, with its western boundary adjoining the proposed CPEC City. The report states that full development of irrigation infrastructure and command area development has been proposed for this zone.
Another component, the Nandrak Area, is located south of CPEC City and north of the Kabul River. According to the document, portions of this area already receive irrigation from the tail of the Indus Branch Canal via the Jahangira and Nandrak minors. However, the project proposes rehabilitation and strengthening of the existing irrigation infrastructure to maximise agricultural productivity.
The largest portion of the scheme, the Indus Ambar Additional Command Area, is situated adjacent to Lot-3. Around half of the area lies between the Maira Branch and the M-1 Motorway, while the remaining land is located south of the motorway on both banks of the Indus Branch Canal. The project recommends the complete development of irrigation facilities and command area infrastructure in this region.
Together, the three components cover a command area of about 10,930 acres. The Indus Ambar Additional Command Area accounts for 3,234 hectares, the Indus Ambar HEIS/PDN Area covers 464 hectares, and the Nandrak Area extends over 726 hectares. The project proposes full irrigation and command area development in the Indus Ambar zones, while rehabilitation and strengthening of the existing irrigation system has been proposed for the Nandrak Area.
According to the documents, the project focuses on expanding irrigation coverage, improving water distribution efficiency and strengthening command area development in the designated agricultural zones. Once implemented, it is expected to improve irrigation infrastructure across the project area and support agricultural development in the region.