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SUKKUR, Jul 21 (APP):Provincial Irrigation Minister, Jam Khan Shoro on Monday inaugurated one of the 16 gates of Sukkur Barrage after their replacement.
On this occasion, he stated that the successful replacement of the 16 gates of Sukkur Barrage is a significant achievement, as it was a challenging task to replace the gates while the Indus River was flowing.
The Minister further said that the replacement of the 16 gates has extended the lifespan of the barrage by 30 years, and the remaining 28 gates will be replaced by June 2026. He added that the replacement of the pocket gates of Sukkur Barrage will be done in the third phase.
Jam Khan Shoro mentioned that during the gate replacement process, the country faced challenges such as war with India, lawyers’ protests, and terrorism. He emphasized that Sukkur Barrage is the backbone of the national economy and a historical structure.
The Provincial Irrigation Minister stated that the replacement of all gates at Sukkur Barrage will reduce the weight by 3,500 tons. He also mentioned that sheets have been installed on the bypass bridge for the security of Chinese engineers, and a study is underway for a new barrage as an alternative to Sukkur Barrage.
The Minister expressed concerns about the water release in the Indus River, stating that the amount of water released is not sufficient to carry away the silt. He emphasized that the country’s demand is to receive the required amount of water in April He inspected the Aqil Bund on the Indus River at Larkana.
The Secretary Irrigation, Zarif Iqbal Khero, Chief Engineers and other irrigation officials were also present on the occasion.
The Minister also highlighted the ongoing issues related to water and the efforts being made to address them. He noted that even when water is available, it is often due to rainfall, which is not useful for irrigation purposes.