SUKKUR: A World Bank Implementation Support Mission visited the Guddu Barrage on Thursday to review the ongoing rehabilitation and modernisation works under the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP).

The international delegation comprised Task Team Leader Francois Onimus, Environmental Specialist Alfanso and Social Safeguard Specialist Imranul Haque.

SBIP Project Director Noorul Arfeen Baloch, Deputy Director (Technical) Abdul Fatah Memon and Project Coordinator Specialist Abdul Razaque Memon accompanied the team during the field visit.

The mission initially inspected the Rainee Canal, where irrigation supplies to the Ghotki Feeder Canal (GFC) were maintained via a diversion channel while gate replacement works and silt excluder removal were underway at the left pocket of the Guddu Barrage.

The project director briefed the delegates that water supply to the Ghotki Canal had been successfully managed through the diversion channel, constructed under Variation Order 18 (VO18), between March and May 2026. Following the successful removal of the silt excluder and the installation of the left pocket gates, regular irrigation supplies have now been restored to the Ghotki Canal through its main head regulator.

The delegation subsequently inspected the removal of the cofferdam. Representatives from the Project Implementation Consultants (PIC) and the contractor, Descon Engineering Limited, informed the mission that 30 per cent of the upstream and downstream cofferdams at the left pocket had been cleared, with the remaining work scheduled for completion within a week.

The mission also visited the jetty area on the left upstream side of the barrage, where dismantled material from the silt excluder has been safely stored. Responding to inquiries regarding the disposal of scrap metal from the old gates, the project director stated that the material would be handed over to the barrage authorities. Its disposal by the Sindh Irrigation Department, in accordance with the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) Rules, is currently under process.

Later, the team visited the SBIP G3A work site to inspect the construction of the TJ Spur. The project director reported that 95 per cent of the work had been executed, with final completion expected by May 28.

The World Bank mission expressed satisfaction with both the completed and ongoing components of the project, commending the efforts of the PMO, the consultants, and the contracting team.

The field visit was followed by a detailed briefing at the New Barrage Colony, where representatives from Descon Engineering and the PIC confirmed that the overall Guddu Barrage Rehabilitation Project is on track to be completed by March 2027.

The review meeting was attended by officials from the World Bank, PMO, PIC, Descon, as well as the Executive Engineer (XEN) and Superintending Engineer (SE) of the irrigation department. Following the conclusion of the session, the World Bank mission departed for Sukkur.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026