By Rehan Khan Khushik
SUKKUR. The spokesman of Sindh Barrages Improvement Project modernization of Guddu and Sukkur Barrages funded by World Bank said in a press release that provincial minister Irrigation department Jam Khan Shoro satisfied over the desilting the Rice Canal that irrigates more than 481000 acres fertile land of district larkana, Dadu and Qambar Shahdad Kot of Sindh Province.
He said that Rice canal off takes from upstream right side of Sukkur Barrage and the canal is non perennial which supplies irrigation water only during Kharif season i.e. from May to October months of each year for paddy crop cultivation.
He said that the total length of the Canal is 408 RDs (81.6 miles) and having design carrying capacity of water is 13581 cusecs.
He said that the Rice Canal irrigates more than 481000 acres fertile land of district larkana, Dadu and Qambar Shahdad Kot of Sindh Province and the growers will be benefitted with supply of water without any hindrances after desilting it.
He said that this old matter of shortages of water and silt was resolved forever..
“Due to passage of time, the carrying capacity of the canal has been reduced due to siltation problem because Warah Branch which was originally withdraw irrigation supplies from N.W Canal (Khirthar Canal) has been connected with Rice canal RD 82 +400’ cross regulator upstream side at Ruk complex for supporting Irrigation supplies since 1990-91″” Ghulam Mohi u ddin Mughal Project Director Sindh Barrages Improvement Project briefed”.
He said that a feasibility study was carried out in year 2013-14 by ACE -NDC – Atkins UK (JV) for Rehabilitation and Modernization of Sukkur Barrage and after completion of the feasibility report a Project for Rehabilitation & Modernization of Sukkur Barrage started in February 2023 by Project Management Office Sindh Barrages Improvement Project Irrigation Department Government of Sindh and the project is being financed by World Bank.
He said that the Contact Package SBIP / S-4 Desilting of Rice Canal from RD 0 to 82+400’ awarded through International Bidding to M/S Khyber Grace Ltd – MNCC (JV) and work started from 11th December 2023. The completion date of work was 30th April 2024.
He said that the work has almost been completed 100% except RD 82+400’ to 92+600’ Rice canal and RD 0 to 4 Warah branch which takes off from RD 82+400 cross regulator at Ruk complex “”””said Project Director SBIP”.
He said that the additional work started on the request of Chief Engineer Irrigation Sukkur Barrage Right bank Region Larkana. This work will be completed up to 15th of May 2024″”””said Project Director SBIP”.
He said that during the desilting work design parameters of the canal have been restored to improve the flow conditions in the canal to maintain the required design irrigation supplies.
He said that the work was very challenging because stagnant, seepage and drainage water was removed through so many dewatering pumps to dry the canal bed. It is hope that after successful completion of the work the design capacity of the canal will be restored and shortage problem of water in Rice Canal will be reduced during next kharif seasons.
” due to silt at rice canal the abadgars were facing hardships to receive water to cultivate their land.
Meanwhile, Minister Irrigation Mr. Jam Khan Shoro visited Rice Canal Desilting work from RD-4 to 17 accompanied with Secretary Irrigation Department Mr. Zarif Khero, Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage Left Bank Region Sukkur Mr. Suhail Hameed Baloch, Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage Right Bank Region Larkana Mr. Mukhtiar Ahmed Abro, Project Director PMO SBIP Mr. Ghulam Muhuddin Mughal and Foreign Consultants Mott MacDonald Limited – MMPakistan and showed his satisfaction at work.
While, during visit at RD , 7, RD 82 and Ruk complex of the Rice Canal , the growers Mohammad Azeem, Ahmed Ali Memon and Mohammad Saleem Shar showed their satisfaction on desilting program at Rice canal..
“The desilting program happened in hidtrory of Rice canal and water will flow smoothly without any hindrances” ” said growers at Rice canal”.
