KARACHI, Oct 28 (SindhFacts): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Works and Services Department to resume construction of the long-awaited Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge over the Indus River by November 2025 and ensure its completion by 2026, two years ahead of the original schedule.
Presiding over a high-level meeting at CM House on Monday, the Chief Minister said the project — being executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) — would be a landmark infrastructure development, enhancing road connectivity between Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, Minister for Works 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 Agha Wasif, Secretary Works Nawaz Sohoo, and Secretary Transport/DG PPP Unit Asad Zamin, among others.
“This bridge will serve as a vital economic corridor linking upper Sindh with Punjab and Balochistan. It will unlock new opportunities for trade, transport, and regional connectivity,” the Chief Minister said, directing all departments to accelerate work and maintain close coordination to remove remaining bottlenecks.
According to the briefing, the 12.15-kilometre-long bridge includes approach roads of 10.40 km on the Ghotki side and 8.10 km on the Kandhkot side, along with a 4.55 km Thull Link Road. Once completed, it will be one of the longest river bridges in Pakistan.
Progress so far includes 83% completion of the Ghotki approach road, 72% on the Kandhkot approach road, and 16.5% on the main bridge structure. Construction of 379 out of 732 piles has been completed, alongside 360 shafts, 115 transoms, and 438 bearing plinths.
Work had previously been suspended due to floods and security concerns. Although activities resumed in early 2024, progress again slowed during the flood season. With weather conditions now stable, the Chief Minister directed the Works and Services Department to ensure uninterrupted construction and strict security measures at the site.
The CM was informed that land acquisition for both Ghotki and Kandhkot sections was nearly complete, with Rs 504 million and Rs 380 million already transferred for compensation. However, disbursement to landowners has been delayed due to legal complexities involving khatedars (landholders).
Mr. Shah ordered Deputy Commissioners to expedite payments and clear all pending compensation cases immediately.
“Landowners must receive their dues transparently and promptly — we cannot allow bureaucratic delays to hold back a project of such public importance,” he asserted.
On security arrangements, the Chief Minister was told that Pakistan Rangers are deployed at one main barrack and a picket within the Indus riverbed, while the District Police maintain three pickets in Ghotki and around forty personnel across eight pickets in Kashmore at Kandhkot.
Mr. Shah instructed the Home Department to enhance security deployment on a rotation basis, round-the-clock, and to establish monitoring committees comprising Divisional Commissioners and DIGs Police for weekly reviews of both security and construction progress.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to the project, the Chief Minister said,
“The Ghotki-Kandhkot Bridge will reshape the economic landscape of upper Sindh. We must deliver it with urgency, coordination, and quality.”
He directed the Works Department, Police, Rangers, and district administrations to maintain close collaboration and submit weekly progress reports to his office.
“This bridge will transform upper Sindh’s economy — it must be completed with speed, security, and excellence,” Mr. Shah concluded.
