Mansehra: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan on Saturday called for expediting work on the Siran Right Bank Canal project in Mansehra, directing the authorities to ensure its timely completion without compromising construction quality and transparency.
The minister received a comprehensive briefing on the progress of the Siran Right Bank Canal during his visit to Mansehra. Member of the National Assembly Shehzada Gustasb, Members of the Provincial Assembly Zahid Chanzeb and Ikram Ghazi, along with senior officials of the Irrigation Department, attended the briefing.
Officials informed the minister that the Siran Right Bank Canal is one of the province’s major irrigation schemes and a longstanding demand of the farming community in Mansehra. They said the project would provide a permanent supply of canal water to thousands of acres of barren and cultivated land, leading to a substantial increase in agricultural production, improved water distribution, promotion of modern farming practices and enhanced income opportunities for farmers. The project is also expected to contribute significantly to the area’s overall economic development.
During the briefing, officials presented details of the project’s technical progress, financial position, construction activities, challenges and future implementation strategy. They informed the minister that 80 percent of the off-take structure and head regulator had been completed, while work on the irrigation canal had reached 10 percent completion. Construction of the affiliated canal structures had achieved 40 percent progress. Officials said all available resources were being utilized to accelerate the remaining work and keep the project on track.
Speaking on the occasion, Riaz Khan said the provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, had made the development of the irrigation and agriculture sectors a top priority. He said the timely completion of the Siran Right Bank Canal would help transform agriculture in Mansehra by ensuring a reliable supply of irrigation water and directly benefiting thousands of farmers.
The minister instructed the Irrigation Department to remove all technical and administrative hurdles without delay and further accelerate construction activities to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe. He emphasized that construction quality, transparency and effective monitoring must be maintained throughout the execution of the project, adding that no compromise would be accepted on standards.
Riaz Khan said the provincial government was committed to completing irrigation projects across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on time to strengthen the agriculture sector, improve water management and support the socio-economic development of farming communities. He expressed confidence that the Siran Right Bank Canal would emerge as a landmark project for Mansehra and play a vital role in increasing agricultural productivity and farmers’ prosperity.