Rahmatullah Buriro
Last day, Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Secretary Irrigation presented a report to the Chief Minister Sindh on the gates and other various works related to the repair of the barrage and the canals related to the barrage. The report stated that 25 gates out of 27 gates of the Sukkur Barrage have been installed. It was informed that the work of the remaining canals, except for the Nara Canal of the left bank, has also been completed. The report stated that the hosting systems of the old gates of the barrage have been removed, and the cutting process of the existing gates has also been completed. Secretary Irrigation Zarif Khero also stated in the report that dredging has been completed in the right pocket. Dredging is underway for the unhindered flow of water in the approach channel. The gates of the barrage that were declared complete in the report are those from gate number 15 to gate number 43. On this occasion, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah directed the officials to immediately complete the ongoing work on the Nara Canal and submit a report. Meanwhile, dewatering and de-silting work is underway for structural repairs. Emphasizing the strategic importance of the Sukkur Barrage, he said that this barrage is the backbone of the Sindh irrigation system. He emphasized and directed the officials that this is a century-old model of irrigation system for which sustainable and long-term protection work should be done. Considering the importance of the barrage, long-term protection is important.
The above-mentioned report of the previous day and the instructions of the Chief Minister of Sindh show how important the Sukkur Barrage is. The existence of the Sukkur Barrage plays a major role and a strategically important role in the irrigation system of Sindh and in the agricultural economy of Sindh. After more than a century, the Sukkur Barrage has passed its life time. Now if any defect, any leak, any technical fault occurs, it is also natural, but it is the responsibility of the person responsible for its maintenance. Therefore, it is very difficult to bring a new barrage at the same place at this time. Even if a program and survey are conducted and feasibility is found, it will definitely take at least 15 years to take practical form in a technical and modern practical form, if not even a 25-year plan. It is the job of the country’s Planning Commission and the Planning and Development Department of the provincial government to think about it. A few days ago, I wrote a series of articles on the Sukkur Barrage, which has various technical, mechanical and He also described the situation of the canals from Civil Side to Sukkur Barrage.It is a matter of happiness that in the above briefing given to the Chief Minister, a report has been given on the overall structural repair status of the Sukkur Barrage and the ongoing work on the canals on the left and right banks. In which a report was also presented on the non-completion of the work on the large canal Nara Canals originating from the left bank. Taking notice of which, the Minister directed to complete the work on time and submit the report. The Chief Minister Sindh has also directed that considering the strategic importance of the Sukkur Barrage, the work should be completed in the best possible way, with quality and on time. The Sukkur Barrage is one of the best irrigation models in the world, along with irrigation. If the responsible people of the time realize its importance, then only after the damage to the remaining Sukkur Barrage will the country’s political, government and institutional leaders realize its importance. This importance is only for Sindh and for Sindh’s irrigation and agricultural system. Not only that, but it also has a very important position in the national agricultural economy. Therefore, it is necessary that the federal government cooperate with the Sindh government to protect a national asset like the Sukkur Barrage and mobilize the Planning Commission to work as soon as possible. Considering the overall strategic importance of the barrage, in addition to carrying out the overall work of technical, mechanical and civil works, attention should be paid to the canals emerging from the Sukkur Barrage along with the life barrage. In this regard, work should be done with the help of our own domestic resources, domestic technical personnel and financial institutions. Otherwise, if more money is needed, financial assistance can be sought by inviting any financial institution in the world. In addition, it is necessary to take whatever help can be taken from irrigation experts of national or provincial importance, and if necessary, there should be no problem in contacting the company that built the Sukkur Barrage abroad and getting work, staff and technical assistance. Sukkur Barrage It plays an important role in the country’s agricultural economy. Therefore, the ongoing work on the Sukkur Barrage should be completed as soon as possible and the concerns raised should be removed. There is no doubt that the irrigation experts of Sindh are also working under the guidance of Provincial Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Secretary Zarif Khero. Irrigation experts like Sohail Hameed Baloch and Mr Palijo, who are responsible for the Sukkur Barrage Improvement Project, are also performing their responsibilities well. However, if the help of any private sector irrigation expert from Sindh or any province of the country is needed, there should be no problem in hiring them.
The Sindh Minister should also keep the wise minister of the Sindh cabinet, Jam Khan Shoro, under his guidance, facing the national and strategic importance of the Sukkur Barrage, and do better and better work on time and in a quality manner, thereby satisfying the people of Sindh and not only the entire nation. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, who is also a resident of Sindh and a good landowner, is very passionate about agriculture. He believes in the improvement of not only Sindh but also the country’s irrigation system and talks about modern agriculture due to the effects of climate change. Therefore, if there is a need for any funds, there is no harm in getting this help. Even now, work is going on on the Sukkur Barrage under the supervision of international experts. In addition, along with the barrage, the related dams on the Indus River also require a lot of attention.
In addition, due to the weakness of the dams between Sukkur Barrage and Kotri Barrage, even a small amount of water indicates the collapse of the dams. In this way, in addition to the timely and quality completion of the works of Sukkur Barrage, attention is also needed to be paid to the bridges built on the Indus River. The overall irrigation problems of Sindh mentioned above, especially the importance of the Sukkur Barrage, can be given a new lease of life to the life of Sindh. The condition is that those responsible play their role in a timely and quality manner. Because not only Sindh but also the life of the national agricultural economy depends on the Sukkur Barrage, which is based on the Indus River. Therefore, there is a need to work with special attention to its strategic importance. For this, the Chief Minister of Sindh, along with his team, needs to sit down with the federal government on an emergency basis. In the federation, important party representatives from Madam Shireen Rehman to Barrister Zameer Ghumro are sitting There are those who can serve better from the House to the federal government.
