WB to finance rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage

KARACHI: The World Bank has in principle agreed to finance the much awaited rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage as now the provincial government has been asked to submit the PC-I of the project.

This decision was taken on Tuesday in a meeting held between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and World Bank Country Director Mr Patchamuthu Illangovan and his 14-member experts and sector chief delegation.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah said the consultants hired for rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage have conducted their feasibility study which was reviewed by experts. Further revision of the feasibility study was made by the World Bank experts, including experts in dam design, sedimentation and structure. Murad said the consultant’s Environmental Impact Assessment report was also reviewed by the international panel of experts in August 2017. The international panel of experts has also submitted the environmental and social assessment report.

The chief minister while giving details of the findings of the assessment said the Barrage structure had been declared safe and the rehabilitation works could extend its life indefinitely. He added the rehabilitation work for the existing barrage selected for design discharge of 1.3 million cusecs, would not require any changes in the existing right pocket river training works. He said additional studies have been recommended. The chief minister said the rehabilitation work would be implemented over four years.

It would involve massive repair work of the structure of barrage and canal regulators. Dredging and canal de-silting would be carried out on the left and right pockets, approach and tail channels, approach to left pocket, channel at downstream of right pocket and de-silting of Dadu, Rice and NW Canals.

Meanwhile, the Chairman Planning and Development Mohammad Waseem and Secretary Irrigation Jamal Shah told the meeting that the PC-I of the project will be submitted within 15 days.

The chief Minister was assisted by Provincial Ministers for Home Sohail Siyal, Local Government Jam Khan Shoro, Population Welfare Mumtaz Jakharnai, Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sohail Rajput, Secretary School Education Iqbal Durani, Secretary Health Fazal Pechuho, Secretary irrigation Jam Shah, Secretary Population Laiq Ahmed and others.