The Sukkur Barrage is a barrage on the River Indus near the city of Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan and was named Lloyd Barrage.
It was built by the British Raj to provide irrigation water to the arid areas of the province of Sindh and flood control between 1903 and 1932, under the supervision of Sir George Roos-Keppel, and then-Commissioner of Sindh, at a cost of Rs. 40 Lakh (400,000). The barrage is 175 feet (53 m) wide and 740 feet (225 m) long, with a navigation lock that is 110 feet (34 m) long by 20 feet (6.1 m) wide, and a system of sluice gates near the right bank. It is the largest irrigation system on the river and is still in use today.
General information about Sukkur Barrage
Lloyd Barrage (Sukkur Barrage) is a barrage on the River Indus near the city of Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It was constructed by the British Indian government in 1903–1905 on the site of an earlier barrage. The barrage has 17 sluice gates that are opened to allow river water to enter the irrigation canals during the dry season. The barrage converted the small but fertile Kalari ground into a large, dry, and barren area. To alleviate this problem, the government of Pakistan has decided to construct a barrage on the river Tawi near Khokhropar, some 40 km upstream from the Sukkur Barrage. The multipurpose Taunsa-Sukkur project will divert waters from the Taunsa River into the canals leading to the Sukkur Barrage, which will raise the water level in the area, and replenish the water table. The Sukkur Barrage has a discharge capacity of 1.2 million acre-feet. The barrage is a breeding ground for the endangered Indus river dolphin.
Lloyd Barrage (Sukkur Barrage): History
The Sukkur Barrage was constructed in 1933 under the supervision of Sir George White, chief engineer of the Punjab Irrigation Department at the time as part of the Indus Waters Treaty with India, Its purpose was to irrigate the newly settled land in the Sukkur and Rohri-Rudhran districts.
The area of cultivation was doubled by the construction of the barrage. The barrage contains five flood-control sluice gates which are used to control the water level of the River Indus and to protect the area from flooding. The barrage is operated by the Sukkur Barrage Authority, a body established in 1964.
It is located 16 km upstream of the river port city of Sukkur in central-eastern Pakistan. The barrage is in the form of a concrete gravity dam with a navigation lock on the right-hand side.
It was built to divert water into a network of irrigation canals. The canals irrigate the river plain of Sindh, which is the most productive area of Pakistan. The main canal is the Left Bank Outfall Drain, which runs parallel to the River Indus. The Sukkur Barrage is one of the two important barrage sites in the country. The other is the Guddu Barrage.
Challenges Faced by Sukkur Barrage
One of the largest earth-filled dams in the world, the Sukkur Barrage was completed in 1932, and it has become a vital resource for the people of Sindh. The barrage has been hit by floods and faced several challenges over the years. Recently, it has been in the news for being under threat of being blown up by militants. The barrage has undergone several renovations and faced several challenges over the years.
Sukkur Barrage sukkur Barrage
The barrage has been hit by floods and faced several challenges over the years. Recently, it has been in the news for being under threat of being blown up by militants. In 2010, a suicide bombing at the Sukkur Barrage killed 52 people.
As one of the most crucial irrigation and water management tools in the country, the Sukkur Barrage is facing a serious threat of inadequate maintenance. The barrage has not been functioning at its full capacity due to various reasons, including the lack of funds, absence of technical expertise as well as mismanagement.
Sukkur Barrage: Operation and Maintenance
The Sukkur Barrage is the largest barrage in Pakistan and it is major irrigation and flood protection system on the Indus River. Facing constant threats due to natural calamities, the maintenance and operation of the barrage is an important issue for the Pakistani government.
In recent years, it has also been a matter of controversy because of the allegations of corruption in the process of awarding contracts of maintenance. In addition to the allegations of corruption, the people of Sindh province have also blamed the contractor for inefficiency and negligence in the operation of the barrage.
Sukkur Barrage: Environmental Impact
The Sukkur Barrage is one of the world’s largest irrigation projects. It diverts water from the Indus River for irrigation purposes in the Sindh province.
It is the largest irrigation project in Pakistan and was designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya – the father of Indian engineering. The Sukkur Barrage is the most important structure on the Indus Canal, which carries water from the Indus River to the vast plains of Sindh.
How to reach Sukkur Barrage
How to go there? The Sukkur Barrage is located on the Indus River, in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The site is accessible by road, rail, and air. For those who are traveling by road, the nearest airport is in Karachi, while the nearest train station is in Sukkur itself. Travelers can also take a passenger ferry from the port of Rohri to reach Sukkur by water.
Conclusion
The Sukkur Barrage is a marvel of modern engineering. It is a valuable resource to the people of Sukkur, Sindh, and the entire country. The barrage is a misnomer to call it the “Unity Dam” when it only supplies water to two provinces.
