Special Report.
Sukkur, Sep. 12 — The National Highway Authority (NHA) has declared its key bridges over the Indus River safe, structurally sound, and capable of withstanding seasonal flood pressures.
This assurance came following a detailed inspection led by Federal Secretary Communications Ali Sher Mahsud and NHA Chairman Muhammad Shahyar Sultan on Friday. They were joined by Engineer Ramesh Raja, Member South Zone NHA Karachi, and senior officials of Sindh’s NHA team.
The delegation inspected four major Indus crossings — the Hyderabad Bypass Bridge (N-5), Qazi Ahmed–Amri Bridge, Khairpur–Larkana Bridge, and the Sukkur Bypass Bridge (N-65) — along with sections of road infrastructure affected by the devastating 2010 and 2022 floods. All NHA bridges, officials confirmed, have a designed discharge capacity of 1.4 million cusecs.
Engineers reported that bridge piers, abutments, and river training works are in safe condition, with preventive cleaning and maintenance completed ahead of the peak flood season.
A detailed briefing was later held at Sukkur Bypass Bridge, attended by Commissioner Sukkur Abid Saleem and senior irrigation officials.
Speaking on the occasion, the Federal Secretary noted that hydrological data indicates the Indus River in Sindh may experience a maximum flow of 800,000 cusecs this season.
> “Under such conditions, Sindh would remain safe from the scale of devastation witnessed in the upper parts of the country during past floods,” he said, praising the preparedness and coordination between the Sindh government and federal authorities.
To ensure vigilance, NHA has set up 24/7 monitoring and rehabilitation camps at each bridge. Field teams are stationed on-site, with contractors on standby for emergency works. Officials highlighted strong inter-agency coordination with district administrations and irrigation authorities, noting that cross-drainage structures have been cleared and reinforced, incorporating lessons from 2010’s disaster.
The Secretary underlined the broader importance of the effort:
> “Protecting our highways and bridges is not just about infrastructure, it is about protecting lives and ensuring connectivity in times of crisis.”
The review visit came as Sindh witnessed heavy rains during the 10th spell of the ongoing monsoon, with Hyderabad recording 200 mm, Karachi and Mirpurkhas 180 mm each, triggering urban flooding in low-lying areas. Despite this, NHA officials confirmed that traffic on national highways remained smooth. In Karachi, the Lyari River maintained its drainage role, while the Lyari Expressway continued to serve as the city’s most reliable transport corridor during heavy rainfall.
The Secretary also lauded the proactive role of the Sindh Irrigation Department in ensuring timely response to rain and flood risks.
The inspection reaffirmed NHA’s position as a frontline guardian of Pakistan’s road and bridge network, committed to safeguarding both infrastructure and the communities it serves.
