KARACHI: The modalities to rehabilitate and modernise the Sukkur Barrage, increasing its capacity to 1.5 million cusecs and re-opening its 10 gates were discussed in a high level meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, at the C.M. House here on Thursday.
The Secretary to Irrigation Department, Babar Hussain Effendi, Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage, Ahmed Junaid Memon, consultant engaged in the task, attended the meeting and briefed the Sindh Chief Minister about the progress of the assignment to date.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that Sukkur Barrage was considered as the lifeline of the people of Sindh and more than 70% of people's economy is dependent on this barrage.
He said that we are experiencing heavy rains and flood for the last rthree to four years.
He said that the volume of these floods had remained more than the capacity of Sukkur Barrage, that is, 0.9 million cusecs to pass. Thus it had posed serious threat to its structure and it is imperative to enhance capacity to pass 1.5 million cusecs of water safely and even to ensure proper supply of the water to the off taking channels.
He said that since the barrage had been constructed in the British era in 1932, because of having expertise in the subject we considered to apply such expertise to rehabilitate the Barrage to save the economy of the province.
The Secretary to Irrigation Department, Babar Hussain Effendi, while briefing the Sindh Chief Minister said that hydraulic study of the project has been completed.
He said that instead of computer model a physical model of Sukkur Barrage has been prepared and the same is being tested in hydraulic laboratory at Hyderabad.
He said that this physical model feasibility report could be finalised by December this year.
He said after the successful model testing, Sindh government will approach the World Bank for funding of the project.
He said that after availability of the funds construction work of this project could be completed in about 30 months.
During the technical briefing the Sindh Chief Minister asked the Engineer and consultants to ensure that the gates which are to be re-opend are strong enough to sustain the pressure of water flow up to 1.5 cusecs and it should not hamper adequate water flow towards off-taking channels.
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