By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: The World Bank’s Implementation Support Mission for the Sukkur Barrage Improvement Project (SBIP) visited ongoing rehabilitation works at Sukkur Barrage on Tuesday, reviewing major infrastructure upgrades including gate replacements, river dredging upstream of the barrage, fabrication of main barrage gates at the mechanical workshop, and construction of the coffer dam.
The mission was led by Task Team Leader François Onimus, accompanied by water specialist Zelalam Meknnon, senior environment specialist Alphonse, and senior social and development expert Imran-ul-Haq. They were joined by Pritam Das, Project Director PMO SBIP, Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage Ikram Ullah Qureshi, and Chief Engineer Barrage Management Unit Sohail Hameed Baloch.
The delegation inspected dredging activities upstream of Sukkur Barrage, where Pritam Das briefed them on the removal of excessive silt to enhance discharge capacity and centralize flow at the barrage. On the construction of the coffer dam, he said 27 main barrage gates would be replaced during the upcoming annual closure, following last year’s replacement of 16 gates.
Geo-physical and geo-technical investigations will be conducted at the upstream and downstream floors and associated structures of the barrage after the coffer dam’s completion. The S1 contract for Sukkur Barrage has seen 37 per cent of project activities completed to date, he added. Gates of the offtaking canals will also be replaced during the 2026–27 closure period.
The World Bank team inspected the fabrication of gates at the Chinese contractor’s workshop and commended the quality and progress of the work. Technical Officer of PMO SBIP Dr Imran Aziz Tunio noted that the rehabilitation works would extend the life span of Sukkur Barrage by approximately 30 years while improving water regulation, reliability, and safety.
A joint press conference was held at Sukkur Barrage, where Pritam Das assured that all quality measures had been implemented and expressed satisfaction from both the World Bank team and the Sindh government. François Onimus said he was satisfied with the ongoing rehabilitation works and confirmed the project remained on schedule. Ms Carry Eller of the Project Implementation Consultant stated that all health, safety, and environmental protocols were strictly observed, including measures to protect the Indus Blind Dolphins.
The World Bank delegation was accompanied by Deputy Project Director PMO SBIP Noor Ul Arfeen Baloch, Deputy Director Resettlement Syed Arshad Wahab, Deputy Director Abdul Fatah Memon, AXEN Mumtaz Ghumro, Chinese contractor representatives, and officials from the Project Implementation Consultant.
