Sukkur Barrage Modernisation: CM Reviews Year-3 Progress, Orders Swift Completion

PAKISTAN – Sindh

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday reviewed the third-year progress of the Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Modernisation Project (SBIP), terming it critical to Sindh’s irrigation security and agricultural economy, and directed officials to ensure swift completion of ongoing works.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Secretary Irrigation Zarif Khero. The briefing focused on major civil, structural and mechanical upgrades, particularly the large-scale replacement of the barrage’s historic gates.

Mechanical overhaul gains pace

Reviewing mechanical works, the chief minister was informed that of the 27 new gates planned in the current phase (gates 15 to 43), 25 have been fully fabricated, reflecting over 96 per cent completion. Painting and sandblasting for corrosion protection have been completed on 19 gates, while dismantling of old hoisting systems and cutting of existing gates in the targeted sections have also been finalised.

Murad Ali Shah stressed that precision in the installation of the new gates is vital for ensuring smooth irrigation flows and safeguarding the century-old structure.

Left Bank Canals fully rehabilitated

The meeting was told that rehabilitation of the Left Bank Canals has reached 100 per cent completion, except for the Nara Canal, where work is still underway. The chief minister directed the Irrigation Department to expedite rehabilitation of the Nara Canal to avoid any disruption to irrigation supplies.

Civil works and dredging progress

On the civil side, dredging at the Right Pocket has been completed, while dredging at the Approach Channel is actively in progress to ensure uninterrupted water flow.

Zone-wise updates showed that in Zone-1 (spans 15–23), dewatering, desilting and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys of floors and piers have been completed, with concrete overlay work currently underway. In Zones 2 and 3, sheet piling and backfilling are largely complete, while dewatering and desilting activities continue in preparation for further structural repairs.

The chief minister also directed officials to resolve all remaining punch-list items from Phase-I, including minor rectification works on gates 44 to 59, without delay.

Emphasising the strategic importance of the Sukkur Barrage — often described as the backbone of Sindh’s irrigation system — Murad Ali Shah reiterated that timely and quality completion of the modernisation project is essential to safeguard the province’s water security, agriculture and the livelihoods dependent on its vast irrigation network. – ERMD

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