By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Sindh’s minister for irrigation, Jam Khan Shoro, on Sunday inspected ongoing gate replacement and repair work at the Sukkur Barrage under the Sindh Barrage Improvement Project, accompanied by the provincial secretary for irrigation, Zarif Khero. Senior officials of the irrigation department briefed the minister on progress during the visit.
Speaking to the media, Shoro said that 26 gates of the Sukkur Barrage had already been replaced, while work on a further 27 gates was scheduled to be completed within the current year. He said this was the first time in the barrage’s 100-year history that such extensive inspection, rehabilitation and repair work was being carried out.
He said the project envisaged the replacement of all 55 gates of the Sukkur Barrage along with 55 gates of its off-taking canals, at an estimated cost of Rs17bn. Emphasizing the technical significance of the work, the minister noted that the central 30 gates bear nearly 70% of the total water pressure, making their maintenance and replacement particularly critical.
The minister said inspection and repair of the barrage floor were also under way. A cofferdam has been constructed between gates 15 and 22 to facilitate repair work, while silt removal operations are in progress with an allocation of Rs4bn. Announcing routine desilting, Shoro said canals across the Indus river system would remain closed from January 6 to January 20 to allow the work to be completed efficiently.
He also pointed out that a wall constructed decades ago to reduce water pressure had now emerged upstream of the barrage after nearly a century. Referring to the impact of climate change on water flows and resources, the minister said the Sindh government was taking the issue seriously and adopting measures to address emerging challenges.
Shoro said nearly 80 percent of Sindh’s agriculture depends on the Sukkur Barrage, adding that experts believe the ongoing rehabilitation would extend the life of the historic structure by at least 30 years. Project director Pritam Das, chief engineer Akramullah Qureshi and other senior officials were also present during the inspection.
