HYDERABAD: The Sukkur Barrage, one gate of which was washed away in June 2024, will have its operational life extended by another 30 years once the Sindh government completes the ongoing rehabilitation by June 2027, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said during a visit to the barrage in Sukkur district on Sunday.
Replacement of Gates Exceeds Targets
He was briefed that 44 of the barrage's 66 gates have been replaced in the first two years of the project at a cost of Rs23.4 billion, as of June 2026. "The Sindh government has exceeded the original project targets. Against the planned replacement of 32 gates, we have successfully replaced 44 so far," he said.
Upgraded Technology for Better Efficiency
He said the upgraded barrage, whose stone roller gates with counterweight systems have been replaced with fixed-wheel automated gates, will improve flood resilience and irrigation efficiency. Around 600,000 farming families in the province depend on the barrage for irrigation.
Guddu Barrage Rehabilitation Completed
The CM noted that Guddu Barrage's rehabilitation has been completed at a cost of Rs9.585 billion. "For the first time in nearly a century, the barrage's floor and associated infrastructure have undergone a comprehensive overhaul to ensure the safety and sustainability of this lifeline for millions of people." He said nearly 60% of Sindh's population lives in rural areas and depends directly or indirectly on irrigation water.
Directives for Remaining Phase
Shah directed the Sindh Irrigation Department to maintain quality, safety and transparency during the remaining phase and ensure timely completion by June 2027.
