WB wants Sukkur Barrage modernisation work in time

The World Bank experts called on Friday for completing the rehabilitation and modernisation work on the Sukkur Barrage within the stipulated time period of four years, warning the Irrigation authorities that no more extension would be granted.

A team of the World Bank Implementation Support Mission, including Practice Manager Josses Mugabi and water resources management specialist Theruni Liyanage visited Sukkur Barrage and reviewed the work progress. The team was given a briefing by Barrage Chief Engineer Syed Sardar Ali Shah.

Shah suggested that a trail gate without counterweight should be installed at the weir instead of the pocket before the flood season as “we can observe the operation of the trail gate without counterweight of 80 tonnes to reduce the extra load on the barrage”.

Speaking on the occasion, Mugabi said that according to the suggestion and guidelines of a panel of experts and departments' technical personnel and international consultants, the design work of the barrage was in progress.

According to Irrigation officials, the World Bank delegation also visited the Indus Blind Dolphins Centre, and the ongoing construction works related to the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP), including the mechanical workshop and engineering works.