Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a high-level meeting on the progress of the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge project over the River Indus, ordered resumption of work suspended due to flood and other issues.
“I will personally visit the bridge site in November and assign the minister to keep reviewing its progress so that the project can be completed within the next one and a half years,” Mr Shah said.
The meeting, held at CM House on Thursday, was attended by provincial ministers Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Special Assistant to CM Syed Qasim Naveed, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, IG Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Secretary Works Nawaz Sohu, Secretary Transport Asad Zamin and other senior officials.
At the outset, the chief minister stated that the Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge will be the longest bridge on the River Indus, spanning 12.15 kilometres, with approach roads of 10.40 kilometres on the Ghotki side and 8.10 kilometres on the Kandhkot side. A 4.548 km Thul Link Road is also part of the project.
The Works Department reported that the Ghotki and Kandhkot approach roads, as well as the Thul Link Road, have been completed. Additionally, three bridges on Jari Wah, Ghota Feeder Canal and Tibbi Minor have been constructed. Out of 38 pipe culverts of the bridge, all have been completed, while construction work on 379 piles out of 732 has also been finished. However, work is currently suspended due to high flood levels in the river.
Murad Shah directed the Works Department to resume full-scale construction work in November, once floodwaters receded. He also instructed the Home Minister to ensure stringent security at the bridge site from November onwards.
“This bridge is not just an engineering feat; it will serve as a landmark project for Pakistan’s economy, regional connectivity, and public convenience,” the chief minister said, adding that it will provide a vital link between Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan.
The project, being executed by the Works Department, is expected to transform regional trade, transport and socio-economic activity by easing connectivity across three provinces.