WITH the Pakistan Metereological Department having forecast heavy rainfall this year in most parts of Sindh, there is every reason for people in the province to feel alarmed. The rehabilitation work that started after the floods last year is still awaiting completion.
For instance, the Dadu-Moro bridge has remained in a poor condition and needs immediate attention of the authorities. The bridge, constructed in 1982, connects the main cities on the left and right embankments of River Indus. In its current condition, the bridge will not be of much help in case of floods this year.
The World Bank had approved loan for the rehabilitation of flood-affected infrastructure under the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project of the provincial Planning and Development Department. Some decent work has been done under the project, like the Cash for Work (CFW) livelihood programme, which has been a great success.
However, the physical progress on approved schemes related to roads and other infrastructure till now is less than desirable as about one-third of the work is still pending. All these schemes need to be completed on a fast track in all the affected areas across the province.
The 16 satellite stations established on N-55, N-5 and M-9 highways also need to be completed and made operational as soon as possible as they will be of critical value during extreme weather conditions.
REHAN KHAN KHUSHIK
DADU
