Indus River barrage approved by PM to mitigate water issues

LAHORE: To address the long-standing water-related issues in Sindh (Karachi and Kotri Barrage,) Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally approved and directed WAPDA to develop a water reservoir by constructing a barrage on the river Indus.

The project named ‘Sindh Barrage’,is located about 45 km upstream of the river’s outfall into the sea, 65 km south of Thatha and 130km east of Karachi city.

WAPDA Chairman Lt. Gen (R) Muzammil briefed that the approval for this mega scheme will address almost all water-related issues like sea intrusion to land erosion, the impact of climate change on the loss of wetland habitats, mangroves and marine life and availability of freshwater for both irrigation and domestic use.

The project is set to accommodate a water storage capacity of 2.0 to 3.0 MAF to utilise 4.1 MAF of valuable resources and will approximately cost Rs350 million.

On the direction of PM, Chairman WAPDA further informed the plans to commence the feasibility study next month followed by its vetting by international consultants by December 2020, and completion of detailed engineering design by December 2021.

With the construction to commence in January 2022, it is scheduled to be completed in December 2024. Project objectives also include water storage.

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