World Bank’s team reviews projects, interacts with irrigation, agriculture officials

HYDERABAD  –  A team of the World Bank, which has been extending technical assistance and credit support to the Sindh government for the irrigation and agriculture projects, visited Kotri Barrage in Jamshoro and other irrigation infrastructure on Friday. Led by Meskerem Brhane, World Bank Regional Practice Director for Planet, the team checked projects being executed under the Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation Project (SWAT) and Barrages Improvement Projects. Speaking on the occasion, Brhane emphasized that the bank’s assistance would not only strengthen Sindh’s irrigation systems but it would also contribute significantly to the province’s economy and to the overall development of Pakistan. Pritam Das, Managing Director of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA), who is also Project Director of the Barrages Improvement Project, briefed the delegation about the ongoing rehabilitation works at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri Barrages. 

He informed that gates at Guddu and Sukkur Barrages were being replaced in a phased manner because most of the gates had exceeded their operational lifespan. Following the collapse of the 43rd gate at Sukkur Barrage, the Sindh Irrigation Department promptly replaced it in emergency, he added. 

Das said additionally hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical upgrades were also being added to the replaced gates besides more than 50 canal head regulators.”For the first time in a century, the floor of Sukkur Barrage has been examined and necessary works have been initiated to extend the life of the barrages by approximately 50 years,” he apprised.

The SIDA’s Chairman highlighted that a feasibility study of Kotri Barrage had been completed, identifying essential minor restoration works. Providing updates on the canal modernization component of SWAT, Director of Irrigation Component Jamal Mangan informed that new irrigation models, tested both digitally and physically at the Hydraulic Laboratory, were being implemented on selected distributaries in each Area Water Board (AWB). Farmers’ Organizations had consented to the initiative, and comprehensive training had also been delivered to irrigation officials, farmers, and other stakeholders, he added.

He further stated that the design of Akram Canal had been finalized with an Expressions of Interest (EOIs) already advertised in the leading newspapers and official websites. He told that the bidding process was scheduled to conclude by September 30, with canal lining works targeted to begin during the annual closure in December, 2025. 

According to Mangan, a timely approval from the World Bank could expedite the commencement of those works.The World Bank’s delegation consisted of Brhane, Task Team Leader Mr Francois Onimus, Lead Water Specialist Bekele Debele and Kamran Akbar, Task Team Leader of the Sindh Flood Emergency Housing Project.The team visited the Hydraulic Laboratory of the Irrigation Department and Akram Canal at Kotri Barrage, Hyderabad.They also held meetings with the irrigation and agriculture officers to review progress of the projects.

The delegation after the meeting visited the Agricultural Research Institute in Tando Jam where SWAT Project Director Liaquat Bhutto briefed them on the agricultural component of the project and showcased progress in organic fertilizer production.

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