Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project

Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project (CRBIP) is located at Chashma in Damaan, Punjab, Pakistan.

Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project is an extensive irrigation project in Pakistan constructing a 274-kilometer canal along the Indus River, 72 distribution canals, 68 cross-drainage structures, 91 bridges and runs through two districts in the Punjab and Northwest Frontier Provinces. Stages I and II of the Chashma Irrigation Project are already completed. Initiated in 1992, Stage III is due for completion in end-December 2003. It will irrigate 606,000 acres of land in both Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan districts in central Pakistan.

The project objectives are to:

• (i) provide a dependable perennial irrigation supply
• (ii) ensure efficient distribution of water
• (iii) provide necessary drainage and flood relief
• (iv) improve access within the area
• (v) strengthen agriculture support services.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been the main financier of the US$454 million project (stage III), providing US$299 million or 66 percent of the total project cost. The Pakistani government and KfW of Germany provide the remaining costs. Implementing agency is the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).