Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has given approval for the construction of a barrage on River Indus (about 45km upstream from where it joins the Arabian Sea), a news source reported.
Previously, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) had proposed the project in a bid to address several water issues persisting in the area. According to the officials, it is a historic move with regard to the provision and conservation of water resources in Sindh.
They said that the Sindh barrage, after its construction, would not only alleviate water shortage in downstream areas surrounding the Kotri Barrage, but would increase the amount of drinking water. This is an important step towards socio-economic development of Sindh in general but specifically for the downstream areas around Kotri Barrage.
It will address issues such sea inundation and fertile land erosion in the delta, loss of wetland habitats, mangroves and marine life, as well as some adverse effects of climate change.
The proposed project is being fast-tracked and is expected to be completed by December 2024.
