SUKKUR: The construction work of Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge, suspended several times since 2020 due to security reasons and some other issues, has been resumed though amid fear of a resurge in dacoits’ activities at the site.

The contractors, engineers and labourers had been subjected to kidnapping, harassment and extortion during the period 2022-2024 and they still deem it highly risky to work on the project.

In the recent past, the Sindh government has repeatedly taken a serious notice of the security situation in and around the project’s site but failed to win the trust of other stakeholders, hence resulting in continuous suspension of the work.

Due to the contractors’ inability to follow the timeline, the project hit delays and, ultimately, its estimated cost has since risen from a little over Rs14 million to a staggering Rs32 million-plus now. There is a possibility of a further escalation until the cost is revised in view of understandable heightening inflation.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has lately taken up the issue of insecurity at the site during his meetings with relevant ministers and divisional district authorities over the last few weeks. Finally, he decided to ensure completion of the project by as soon as possible, and offered all essentially required components, including funds and security.

On his directives, Sukkur Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi, along with the Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Ahmed Kanrani and DIGs of Sukkur and Ghotki, visited the site on Monday and issued necessary instructions to the officials concerned.

He reviewed the work already completed and assessed the remaining works.

Commissioner Qureshi noted that effective measures were being taken to maintain the new timeline for the construction work as per the chief minister’s directives and to ensure completion of the project within the stipulated time.

He expressed his confidence that once completed, the bridge would benefit thousands of commuters in terms of travel comfort and saving of time due to shortened distance between Ghotki and Kandhkot-Kashmore districts, hence giving a boost in trade and business activities as well.

Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Ahmed Kanrani said that the district administration is fully committed to ensuring continuity of the construction process and completion of the project on time.

He said that the bridge would reduce the travel time between the two districts “from hours to minutes”, extending great benefit to the public and significantly boosting economic activities in the region.

Sukkur DIG Faisal Abdullah Chachar called it a major developmental project that would definitely bring a positive change in the lives of the people of both districts.

Highlighting the planned security arrangements, he said one SP and one DSP would be spared to oversee the security arrangements at the site.

He said clear directives have been issued to police personnel to show zero tolerance to the elements found causing obstruction in the construction work.

Earlier, Ghotki SSP Anwar Khetran gave a detailed briefing to the commissioner regarding the security arrangements, saying that all necessary measures in this regard had been taken to ensure safety and security of everyone at the site.

It was only on Sunday (Nov 2), when CM Murad Ali presided over yet another meeting on the bridge, and described it as one of the province’s significant infrastructure development project being built across the river. He said it would connect Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan.

Police contingent led by SP, DSP deputed at project site; CM wants Rangers to remain on standby

The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Special Assistant to CM Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Principal Secretary to the CM Agha Wasif, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary Works Nawaz Sohoo, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin, Prof Dr Sarosh Lodhi and other officials.

The CM told the meeting that he had, so far, held five meetings on this bridge and was personally monitoring its progress. He emphasised that the work must continue rapidly.

“I want to see accelerated progress from November to June so that by Nov-Dec 2026, the bridge stands completed to some extent,” the CM said.

He was informed that top-class engineers have been hired for the project and that the contractor has deployed a full team at the site to expedite the work. Out of 723 piles required for the 12.15km-long bridge, 379 have already been installed, while the remaining 353 will be completed and girders placed by December this year, according to the works department.

The CM directed the police and Rangers to ensure full security at the site, saying, “There is no longer a security issue; now I just want to see progress on the ground.”

He said he would pay a surprise visit to the site soon to assess the pace of work.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2025