Irrigation Department

Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
logoname

محکمہ آبپاشی حکومت خیبر پختونخوا

History of Irrigation

The development of irrigation Agencies has strong linkages, and interfaces with the physical infrastructure as well as system design and management practices. In order to appreciate the historical perspective of irrigation and agency development better, factors contributing to its development needs to be determined. The chronological sequence of the development of Irrigation Department Khyber Pukhtoon Khawa and its canal system is elaborated as under.

Mughal Era

17th

17th Century Construction of Joe Sheikh inundation canal

Construction of Joe Sheikh inundation canal was carried out from the R/Bank of River Kabul during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and to irrigate areas around Peshawar.

Pre-independence Era

1786

Military Board was set up

Military Board was set up to look after all public work matters in India

1854

Public Works Department ( PWD ) was established

Public Works Department ( PWD ) was established and was responsible for the construction of roads, buildings, railways as well as flood control, irrigation and military works.

1854

Robert Napier appointed as Chief Engineer

Robert Napier appointed as Chief Engineer to look after Civil , military and public Works in India

1854

Establishment of Directorate of Canals

Establishment of Directorate of Canals headed by Chief Engineer

1866

Public works department created

Public works department created in all provinces under central control having following branches i) the military Works Branch. ii) the Civil Works Branch, including Irrigation. Iii) the Railway Branch

1873

The Northern India Canal and Drainage Act

Enactment of “The Northern India Canal and Drainage Act”

1895

Public works Department assigned to deal purely with civil works

Public works Department assigned to deal purely with civil works including irrigation works.

1895

Construction of Lower Swat Canal

Construction of Lower Swat Canal with design discharge of 830 cusec.

1901

Central Mechanical Work shop established

Central Mechanical Work shop established in Amritsar.

1905

Establishment of Irrigation Department India

Establishment of Irrigation Department India comprising of Chief Engineer / Secretary, and seven circle.

1908

Paharpur Irrigation Canal system

Paharpur Irrigation Canal system was constructed with a total length of 50 miles.

1914

Upper Swat canal constructed

Upper Swat canal constructed with design discharge capacity of 2200 cusec.

1915

Swat canal circle transferred

Swat canal circle transferred to the NWFP Government.

1925

Hydraulic Research Institute established

Hydraulic Research Institute established at Malikpur on Upper Bari Doab Canal.

1939

Design Directorate established

Design Directorate established in Irrigation Department.

Independence Era

1955

one unit –West Pakistan.

All the four provinces and princely state integrated in one unit –West Pakistan. The Chief Engineer West Pakistan headed the organization assisted by four Additional Chief Engineer.

1957

Pehur Main Canal constructed

250 cusec Pehur Main Canal constructed to irrigate 43000 acres of land.

1958

Water and Power Development Authority

Water and Power Development Authority Created.

1960

Indus Water Treaty

Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan signed.

1962

Baran Reservoir commissioned

Baran Reservoir on Baran Nullah commissioned.

1962

Independent Chief Engineer

Independent Chief Engineer Irrigation appointed in N-W.F.P

1965

Kurram Ghari Project commissioned

650 cusec Kurram Ghari Project commissioned.

1967

Tanda dam project commissioned

Tanda dam project commissioned. The project designed command area is 32000 acres while the channel has carrying capacity of 263 cusec.

1977

Public Works Department devolved

Public Works Department devolved in to Work & Services and Irrigation & Public Health Department.

1985

Khan Pur Dam Canal system commissioned

Khan Pur Dam Canal system commissioned on Hero River. Discharge capacity of canal is 118 cusec while designed command area is 18000 acres.

1991

Water Accord signed between the Provinces

Water Accord signed between the Provinces of Pakistan.

1992

Public Health Department separated

Public Health Department separated from Irrigation Department.

1997

Irrigation Department re-designated

Irrigation Department re-designated as Irrigation & Power Department.

2005

Pehur High level Canal

Pehur High level Canal was commissioned with designed capacity of 1000 cusec and additional command of 12500 acres.

2008

Power Department separated

Power Department separated from Irrigation Department.

2010

Irrigation Department N.W.F.P

Irrigation Department N-W.F.P notified as Irrigation Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.