Desilting of Pakistan's Sukkur Barrage gates this month
Pakistan Times National News Desk

SUKKUR: Sindh Irrigation Department has decided to start desilting of six gates of Sukkur Barrage (left bank). This was decided during a meeting here which was presided over by provincial Secretary Irrigation Shujaah Abro.

The meeting voiced concern over the accumulation of silt in canals and in front of left picket of Barrage as the desilting work has not been carried out for the last twenty years.

The meeting decided that all the canals on right and left bank of the barrage, including Rice Canal Dadu, Khirthar Canal, and Khairpur east canal would remain closed from September 5 for three days, due to mechanical desilting work.

The XEN Irrigation Sukkur Barrage Muhammad Yousif Memon said that desilting process was essential for the sustainability and safety of Barrage.

“The consultants of a reputed company NDC would be supervising the rehabilitation work” he added. He was informed that it was decided to conduct a detailed survey of the canals doors including regulators, and all the gates of barrage and pavement of down and upstream apron by December.

The study involving assessment of water pressure on the barrage, its impacts on the barrage, and the trend of water flow will be completed by December. After completing rehabilitation work and survey process, the second phase of the work would be carried out next year in the light of survey, and investigation findings.

Meanwhile, an official of the district irrigation office said apart from, survey and desilting work department had decided remodeling and expansion of the command area of east and west canals of the barrage, for which Rs 5,926 Million have been earmarked. “The allocated amount will be provided by Sindh government, and work would be initiated next month” he added.●