The Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar, chaired a meeting on Wednesday to review the progress of the Sindh Barrage Project.
The meeting was attended by the Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Fahmida Mirza, representatives of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and senior officers.
WAPDA’s senior officers informed the attendees that the proposed barrage site is located about 180 km downstream from Kotri Barrage and 45 km upstream from the Indus River’s outfall into the Arabian Sea.
Minister Umar was informed that the feasibility study is underway and would be completed by September 2021. He then directed the WAPDA officials to expedite the work on the feasibility study.
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The objectives of the project are to ensure the reliable availability of fresh water in south Kotri/delta, to prevent the intrusion of seawater through structural measures, to improve the ecology of Indus River/delta downstream Kotri, to provide a supply of clean drinking water to the cities and towns in the vicinity of the project, for flood mitigation, and to alleviate the socio-economic conditions of the area.
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The minister directed the officials to ensure that the project benefits for the local communities should be clearly highlighted to guide and assist the Government in making appropriate investments in the project.
It was decided that another meeting would be convened for a detailed review as soon as the feasibility is completed.
