Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reviews major milestones in Sukkur Barrage modernization, directs swift completion of 'Year-3' works

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday presided over a meeting to review the third-year progress of the Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Modernisation Project (SBIP), calling it critical to Sindh’s irrigation security and agricultural economy

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Feb, 2026) Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday presided over a meeting to review the third-year progress of the Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Modernisation Project (SBIP), calling it critical to Sindh’s irrigation security and agricultural economy.

The meeting, held at CM House, was attended by Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Secretary Irrigation Zarif Khero, focused on major civil, structural and mechanical upgrades, particularly the large-scale replacement of the barrage’s historic gates.

Secretary Irrigation Zareef Khero briefed the chief minister on ongoing inspections and progress at the site, including work on the cofferdam, barrage pavement and allied structural components. The CM was informed that the Year-3 cofferdam (Phases II & III) has successfully enabled heavy construction activities across three major zones of the barrage.

Mechanical overhaul gains pace:

Reviewing mechanical works, the CM noted substantial progress in gate replacement. Of the 27 new gates planned in the current phase (gates 15 to 43), 25 have been fully fabricated, achieving over 96 per cent completion. Painting and sandblasting for corrosion protection have been completed on 19 gates, while dismantling of old hoisting systems and cutting of existing gates in the targeted sections has also been finalised.

Rehabilitation of the Left Bank Canals has reached 100 per cent completion, except for the Nara Canal, which remains under execution.

At this, the CM directed the irrigation department to speed up Nara Canal rehabilitation works.

On the civil side, the chief minister was told that dredging at the Right Pocket has been completed, while dredging at the `Approach Channel’ is actively underway to ensure uninterrupted water flow.

Zone-wise progress showed that in Zone-1 (spans 15–23), dewatering, desilting and GPR surveys of floors and piers have been completed, with concrete overlay work in progress. In Zones 2 and 3, sheet piling and backfilling are largely complete, and dewatering and desilting activities are continuing to prepare for further structural repairs.

Emphasizing the strategic importance of Sukkur Barrage, the chief minister directed the Irrigation Department to maintain the momentum of Year-3 activities and ensure strict adherence to time-lines.

“This barrage is the backbone of Sindh’s irrigation system. Precision in installing the new gates is vital for smooth irrigation flows and the long-term safety of this century-old structure,” Murad Ali Shah said.

Murad Shah further instructed the Irrigation department to resolve all remaining punch-list items from Phase-I, including minor rectification works on gates 44 to 59, without delay.

The meeting concluded with the CM reiterating that timely and quality completion of the modernisation project is essential to safeguard Sindh’s water security, agriculture and livelihoods dependent on the irrigation network.