SUKKUR, Feb 6: Repair work of the Sukkur barrage has been slowed down following development of cracks in barrage pillars.

Officials of the geophysics department are monitoring the situation to ascertain the reason why the cracks have developed and which parts of the barrage have weakened. This was stated by barrage chief engineer Nawaz Memon here on Saturday. However, he said, the work would be completed in the stipulated time.

He said a tractor excavating slit near spans 1 and 2 had fallen into the ditch which was being pulled out. He said the ditch had earlier been filled with stones but it had again widened. He said a report submitted by German experts in this regard had been rejected by irrigation experts, including Frontier Works Organization officials.

The German experts' report said the plinth of the barrage had weakened after slit clearing and its two spans could collapse any time.