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GREAT PROJECT OF SUKKUR BYPASS AND BRIDGE OVER RIVER INDUS.

CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES WILL PROVIDE STRONG ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS.

PRIME MINISTER MOHTARAMA BENAZIR BHUTTO IS PERFORMING THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF SUKKUR BYPASS AND BRIDGE ON APRIL 5.

REPORT: DR. GHAZANFAR MEHDI

Coordinated Communications links perform key role for the all round development of any country and such links can be termed a criteria to evaluate the living-standard of the people. The Communications system established on modern lines with highways network is a source of pleasant and comfortable journey and provides better facilities of transportation of goods and passengers, which deeply affect the life-cycle of the masses. In the modern age of rapid advancement, the significance of Communications network increases menifold. The world is standing on the threshold of the 21st century and that being an advancing country, it is incumbent upon the present Govt. of Pakistan to attach due priority to the development of Communications infrastructure inside the country which is the call of the time.

The credit of spreading a coordinated network of roads in the sub-continent region goes to the eminent Muslim ruler Sher Shah Suri who laid foundations for the establishment of a modern Communications system of the then times, and that the highways structure has been moulded according to the requirements of the time on the foundations provide by him. He spread roads- net in the region for development of economic, social and cultural relations that is the ample proof of his discernment. The route which was determined during Sher Shah Suri's period for constructing roads now passes through the major cities and industrial points of Pakistan. When the British took control of the sub-continent, they undertook measures for the development of Communications system as per needs of their times and such activities continued till the existence of Pakistan.

As the Pakistan emerged on the map of the world, the conditions of the roads in the country was not encouraging and endeavours were made for the improvement of roads' condition, so that a close relationship could be existed among the people living in various parts of the country, and that firm Communications foundations be made available to put the country on the track towards prosperity, because without firm economic grounds, prosperity of Pakistan was hard to achieve. In order to achieve the grand task of a "Prosperous Pakistan" every Govt. took pragmatic measures within available national resources and consequently a Coordinated Communications system began to develop gradually. The system had to be harmonised according to the changing times was a dire national need, so that growing economic activities in the country could be expanded. In the history of Pakistan, the credit of making efforts to cover long distance and promote close-contacts goes to the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who chalked out a comprehensive plan for the construction, extension and maintenance of the national highways and for this purpose the Indus Highway Board was established which was, later, upgraded as the National Highway Board. This body did tremendous job for the construction and development of highways throughout the country and ground was prepared to take Pakistan on the way towards economic uplift.

The establishment of the National Highway Board proved far advantageous on economical basis, but due to the increasing economic activities, it was realised that this body should be remodelled as the National Highway Authority so that it could serve the nation with more powers and confidence. Presently, the National Highway Authority is rendering valuable services for a vast coordinated network of communications in the country. After the establishment of the National Highway Authority, the international construction companies began to take more interest in the projects of the national highways. The World Bank's department also paid particular attention towards the extension and maintenance programme of the national highways. Likewise, the great project of Indus highway is being implemented with the cooperation of OECF of Japan.

The present Govt. has offered attractive package to the foreign investors and the private sector with the view to share them in the economic development of Pakistan and as a result, the foreign investors desire for investment in Pakistan. In the communications sector, the Government has offered substantial facilities to the foreign investors and they are expressing keen interest to improve the communications network of Pakistan. The foreign investment will ultimately result in introduction of modern technology in Pakistan and the Pakistani Engineers and Highways Construction Experts will avail opportunities to have acquaintance with the use of latest technology in the country. The use of modern technology in the construction sphere will ensure high standard of the construction of highways in Pakistan.

Construction of Sukkur Bypass and bridge over River Indus is one of the most important projects of the National Highway Authority, Ministry of Communications, which will not only prepare the ground for a prosperous Sindh but it will also cast far-reaching effects on the all round development of the country.

The Asian Development Bank is also providing US$65 million for the construction of 1600m long bridge at Sukkur including Bypass. Loan Agreement for this has been signed between the Govt. of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank. Total estimated cost of the project is US$65 million out of which US$45 million (about 70% of the project cost) will be provided by the ADB, whereas, US$20 million will be provided by the Government of Pakistan. Supervision Consultants M/s Cowiconsult of Denmark have been selected.

The project includes construction of an approximately 10 Km bypass to relieve the traffic from centre of Sukkur and in particular to relive the existing Lloyd Barrage from present heavy traffic, as the Barrage is showing sign of wear. The works thereof include a new major bridge across the river Indus, 8 canal bridges and about 8 km of road.

Work has been awarded to M/s Astaldi-Ferrocemento JV of Italy and the contractor is in the process of mobilization its machinery/equipment and manpower to the project site. The project will be completed by 1997.

Sukkur is one of the ancient cities of the Sindh province. About 2000 year ago, Alore, the capital of the Upper Sindh was situated here at a distance 9 km which later became desolate due to change of direction of the river Indus but Sukkur city continued its existence. In the 17th century, this city was in full swing and the trade-boats of the Arabian Sea were used to come here. In 1932, the Sukkur Barrage was constructed in form of a source of a great Irrigation system of the world from which seven canals were constructed and they are irrigating about 32 million acre land piece. This canal system is comprising of about fifty thousand Km long canals and this thing also indicates the significance of Sukkur Barrage for national economic uplift. To preserve this Engineering Masterpiece is our joint obligation which has brought a revolution in agriculture. The construction of Sukkur Bypass and Bridge is a part of Govt's wider planning about highways.

Sukkur, after Karachi and Hyderabad, is the third big city of the Sindh and the expanding economics have turned it into a trade-centre. Presently, this city is not only performing fundamental role to the economics of Sindh, but it also enjoys the status of threshold to have access in the provinces of Punjab and Balochistan. Keeping in view the importance of Sukkur Barrage, these projects are being started which will reduce load of traffic in Sukkur city and provide better inter-provincial transportation facilities.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto and her team-members are taking interest in national highways projects in such a way as the dream of economic prosperity shall be realized. The Prime Minister herself has performed ground breaking ceremonies and participated in the inaugural ceremonies of a number of national highways and bridges projects which shows her interest in the promotion of communications network. It seems apt to mention here that the total road length in the country is about 1,500 Km, out of which only 16000 Km long roads have been given the status of the National Highways and their construction, extension and maintenance is the responsibility of the National Highway Authority. As a result of political changes in the Central Asia, the newly liberated states desire to promote their economics through the deep sea-ports of Pakistan and such trade-activities will provide opportunity to revive centuries old trade, social and cultural relationship with the central Asia Republics. In this connection, Transit Trade Agreements between Pakistan, China and Central Asian Republics have been concluded and their implementation will give Pakistan a central place on the horizon of international trade.