SUKKUR: The Sindh government has signed a contract with a Chinese group of companies for the restoration, upgradation and modernisation of Sukkur barrage, according to a press release issued by the project management office of the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP).

The Rs17.07 billion contract was signed at Karachi with the China Road & Bridge Corporation, Hubei Shuizong Water Resources and Hydropower Construction Company Limited, it said.

The group has undertaken rehabilitation of the structure, repair works in the stone masonry of superstructure and RCC arches, replacement of the main barrage gates, hoisting system to work without counterweights, RCC jacketing of piers in canal head regulators and foundation overlay concrete, temporary river training works/coffer dams for isolation of a group of spans for foundation, physical inspection/repairs, and testing for weakness, scour protection works at barrage and offtaking canals, replacement of all gates in canal head regulators, replacement of gate lifting motors/electrical system for all barrage and canal head regulator gates, installation of new 11/0.4 kV transformers and standby generators, instrumentation and monitoring system with automatic data acquisition system, CCTV and telecommunication system.

Besides, the group would build new buildings, laboratories, workshop and offices and carry out renovation with matching monumental and aesthetic architectural aspects.

Project director Ghulam Muhiudin Mughal and the Chinese company’s authorised representative, Mr Lyu Ming, signed the contract at a ceremony in Karachi.

Senior officials of the irrigation department and senior executives of the barrage improvement project and the Chinese company attended the ceremony.

The audience was informed that upgradation of Sukkur Barrage would commence within a few weeks and would be completed within the stipulated time.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2022