ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 15th Aug, 2026) 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, providing a buffer for Karachi’s water supply during the critical summer period.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, Keenjhar Lake’s water level stood at 49.40 feet on June 2, 2026, described by the Sindh Irrigation Department as the best level recorded for that date and a direct result of reduced seepage from the completed canal lining reaches.
The PCC Lining of Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper (KBFU), Phase-I project involves cement-concrete lining of 189.67 RDs, or 57.81 kilometres, of the feeder to reduce water losses and secure a reliable and sustainable bulk water supply corridor for Karachi.
So far, 138.05 RDs, equivalent to 42.08 kilometres, have been lined, taking overall physical progress to 78%. Another 15.73 kilometres remains to be completed.
Financial progress has also reached 78%, with Rs31.542 billion released and spent. The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on July 19, 2023, at a cost of Rs39.943 billion.
Its cost has subsequently been revised to Rs50.989 billion, although the revised cost is pending approval by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP). The project is being implemented on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis between the Federal and provincial governments, with the Sindh Irrigation Department as the executing agency.
The implementation period runs from 2023-24 to 2026-27, and the Irrigation Department maintains that the project is advancing in line with the revised schedule.
Upon completion of the lining works, the project is designed to eliminate 510 cusecs of seepage losses from the conveyance system. It is also intended to meet the K-IV Phase-I requirement of 260 million gallons per day, equivalent to 500 cusecs, for Karachi through Keenjhar Lake.
Package-wise data shows that Package-2 is the most advanced, with 60.50 RDs lined and 96% completion. Package-1 has achieved 56% progress, with 36.25 RDs lined, while Package-3 stands at 70%, with 41.30 RDs completed.
Work is also progressing on allied structures. The five-barrel, 1,734-foot superpassage at RD-90 is 90% complete and already functional, while work on a prestressed bridge at RD-151 is in progress, with completion targeted by the end of August 2026.
Bank protection works along the tail reaches between RD-151 and RD-189 have reached 80% completion.
According to the Irrigation Department, financial progress of 78% is commensurate with the 78% physical progress achieved on the ground. The department says the project remains on track for completion within its approved implementation period ending in 2026-27.
