CM approves Rs502 million for replacement of Sukkur

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved Rs502 million for the provincial irrigation department to meet the expenditure on account of work done in connection with the repair and replacement of damaged gates of the Sukkur Barrage.

The CM approved the funds while presiding over a meeting at the CM House on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh, Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero and others.

The irrigation secretary informed the meeting that in the Sukkur Barrage, damage was detected at the gates 44 and 47 on June 20, 2024. He said preliminary assessment revealed that the Gate No 44 had been twisted but was intact but the Gate No 47 was substantially damaged.

To avoid further damages and to facilitate the emergency repair works of the two gates, all Sukkur Barrage gates were fully opened to evacuate the upstream pond.

Consequently, the supply to all canals off-taking from the left and right side of the Sukkur Barrage, such as Nara, Rohi, Khairpur East, Khairpur West, Northern Dadu, Rice and NW canals was reduced until the restoration work of the two gates.

After day and night efforts, engineers of the irrigation department rebuilt and maintained the Sukkur Barrage pond level on June 26, two days ahead of the schedule, the meeting was informed. The engineers also restored the supply of water to the canals off-taking from the Sukkur Barrage.

The CM appreciated the efforts of the irrigation minister, irrigation secretary and the engineering team of the department.

Shoro thanked the CM for his appreciation and mentioned that Sindh had been saved from unimaginable financial loss and the resulting unrest among the farmers.

The irrigation secretary informed the CM that the Gate No 44 had been fabricated, brought to Sukkur, and placed at a mechanical workshop. Due to the flood season, replacing the Gate No 44 was risky and therefore the replacement work had been halted, he added.

The meeting was informed that deflection was being monitored in the gate, and since June 20, no increase in deflection had been observed. It was said that a mechanical expert had suggested additional strengthening works on the gate so that it could withstand the flood season.

The CM was told that two gates were replaced and fabricated at the Karachi Shipyard. The materials, jumbo bags, shutters, machinery, and manpower were supplied, including labour, technical divers, and welders.

The CM was told that the emergency work had cost around Rs502 million and the irrigation department was already facing a financial deficit as the allocated funds were much less than its requirements. To this, the CM approved Rs502 million for the irrigation department.