ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: The federal government is expected to assign maintenance and repair work of the Sukkur Barrage to military authorities to ensure quality work and to avoid leakage of public money.

Informed sources told Dawn here on Tuesday that a meeting would be convened on Thursday to take a final decision on the subject. Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi would preside over the meeting that would be attended by representatives of Wapda, relevant wing of armed forces, Nespak and the Sindh Irrigation Department.

The government, said these sources, was of the view that Sukkar barrage was the backbone and life line of the Sindh irrigation system and could not be left at the mercy of civil contractors.

Hence, it has decided in principle to involve military authorities in the repair works of the barrage to avoid allegations of wrong doings and ensure quality of the work.

These sources said the Wapda authorities had earlier repaired the barrage with limestone and sand but this could not last long. Luckily, there was no flood situation last year otherwise the barrage might have collapsed, resulting in a major devastation to life and property of the people.

Some major cracks had appeared in the main structure of the barrage a couple of years ago posing a threat to the whole irrigation system of the province.