Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday inaugurated the Sukkur Barrage Rehabilitation and Up-gradation Project, calling it a milestone for the province’s water security and agricultural future. Provincial Ministers Nasir Hussain Shah and Jam Khan Shoro, Sindh Assembly Speaker Owais Qadir Shah and other officials attended the ceremony.
“Sukkur Barrage is the guarantee of Sindh’s agricultural future and is directly linked to Pakistan’s food security,” the Chief Minister said. The Indus irrigation network is vital for the national economy, food security and flood protection. Sindh’s historic water project is moving forward successfully. He added that modernizing Sukkur Barrage is a milestone for Sindh’s water conservation and agricultural future.
The Rs. 23.43 billion project will secure the livelihood of millions of farming families. The upgraded barrage will better tackle flood risks and strengthen the irrigation system, he said.
Rehabilitation Details
For the first time in almost 100 years, the barrage floor and key infrastructure have undergone comprehensive rehabilitation, CM Murad Shah noted. All 44 gates of Sukkur Barrage have been replaced with a state-of-the-art system, improving water conveyance and monitoring, he said and added that we had a target to replace 32 gates, but 44 gates were replaced - this proves the Sindh government’s seriousness.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the livelihood of over 600,000 farming families and Pakistan’s food security depend on Sukkur Barrage. The modernized barrage will serve Sindh’s agriculture for many decades to come. Rehabilitation will improve flood discharge capacity, operational efficiency and irrigation management, he said.
He reiterated that the Sindh government remains fully committed to protecting and modernizing water infrastructure and directed the Irrigation Department to ensure timely, quality completion of the project by June 2027.
Project Execution and Funding
The Sukkur Barrage project is being executed under the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project with World Bank financial assistance. CM Murad Shah said a stronger, modernized barrage will ensure safe flood passage and reliable irrigation supply.
Receiving a briefing from Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero, the CM was told that the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project also covers rehabilitation and modernization of Guddu Barrage. Both barrages are critical for the irrigation system and agricultural economy. The Guddu Barrage rehabilitation was completed at a cost of Rs. 9.585 billion with all 56 main gates and 25 canal head regulator gates replaced.
Total cost of Sukkur Barrage rehabilitation is Rs. 23.436 billion. Upstream and downstream floors and other key structures have been reconstructed and rehabilitated.
Historical Significance
Built between 1923 and 1932, Sukkur Barrage ranks among the subcontinent’s most important irrigation schemes. After a century, its floor and related structures have now been modernized on a large scale.
The new system has significantly improved structural strength, operational capacity, and maintenance. The barrage can now safely pass large and unusual flood discharges, enhancing Sindh’s flood management capability and ensuring reliable water supply for future irrigation.
Officials briefed the CM that replacement of all 44 gates and the hoisting system is complete, along with civil repairs on all 44 bays. Except for Nara Canal, all 6 gauge wells have been completed and handed over. Work is progressing on schedule.
The 94 year old Sukkur Barrage is a lifeline for Sindh agriculture, irrigating 3.1 million hectares and supplying water to 7 canals, the briefing stated. Each new barrage gate weighs 50 tons. Under the modern design, stone rollers were replaced with fixed wheels and counterweights removed.
Local Employment and Community Engagement
Two special workshops were established in Sukkur for local fabrication of barrage gates, employing 51 local staff and 10 Chinese experts. 70% of workers under various construction contracts are local.
A 45-member expert team is active for environmental and social safeguards, with over 580 training sessions on environment, health and safety conducted for staff. More than 1,200 people from communities around the project were consulted.
Sukkur Barrage is not just a stone structure, it is the lifeline of Sindh’s economy and agriculture. Bringing this historic barrage up to international standards is a major achievement of the Sindh government, CM Murad Shah said.
Provincial Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah noted that 60% of Sindh’s population lives in rural areas and depends on barrage water. Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro said repair work on 27 gates of all 7 canals has been completed successfully.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Owais Qadir Shah pledged that the assembly and government will take all possible steps to protect people’s water rights.
The Chief Minister also paid tribute to former Project Director Pritam Das for his outstanding services, saying he played a key role in overcoming technical challenges and successfully completing the project.
