CM approves new Indus bridge to link Sukkur, Rohri under PPP framework

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Mar, 2026) Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday approved the construction of a new bridge over the Indus River to improve connectivity between Sukkur and Rohri and ease mounting traffic pressure on existing crossings.

The approval was granted during the 51st meeting of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy Board held at the Chief Minister’s House. The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, senior officials and relevant stakeholders.

The proposed bridge is aimed at addressing growing traffic congestion between Sukkur, Rohri and adjoining towns, which currently rely heavily on limited and ageing infrastructure.

Briefing the meeting, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said Sukkur and Rohri constitute a closely integrated economic corridor, with around 70 per cent of residents from Rohri, Salehpat and Pano Aqil commuting daily to Sukkur for employment, education, healthcare and business activities.

He noted that the Primary crossing, the historic Lansdowne Bridge, is currently under immense pressure, while access via the Sukkur Barrage remains suspended for public movement due to ongoing maintenance work expected to continue until at least 2027.

The CM observed that over 30,000 vehicles use the Lansdowne Bridge daily. However, due to its age and structural limitations, heavy traffic bound for major routes such as the N-5 and M-5 highways is restricted, resulting in frequent bottlenecks and delays, including disruptions to emergency services.

To address the situation, the PPP Board approved the Project Development Facility (PDF) to hire transaction advisors for the New Sukkur–Rohri Bridge Project. The scheme will be executed by the Sindh Local Government Department under the PPP mode to enhance regional connectivity and support economic activity.

According to the plan, the new bridge will be a multi-lane structure of approximately 1.

5 kilometres, to be constructed north of Bukkur Island. It will be designed to accommodate heavy commercial traffic and include dedicated pedestrian walkways.

Welcoming the decision, Syed Nasir Shah thanked the chief minister on behalf of the people of Sukkur, stating that the project would significantly ease traffic congestion and resolve longstanding connectivity issues.

The PPP Board also reviewed progress on the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Expressway, a 39-kilometre high-speed corridor currently 88.2 per cent complete. The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the project becomes fully operational by April 2026.

Additionally, the board approved the installation and 25-year maintenance of solar-powered streetlights along a 4.5-kilometre elevated section at Sammo Goth to enhance safety and security. It also cleared the feasibility study and detailed design for the Kathore Interchange to ensure seamless connectivity at the expressway’s endpoint.

The meeting also endorsed key policy measures to strengthen transparency and financial discipline in Sindh’s PPP framework.

The board approved new procedures for handling abnormal bids in infrastructure-related PPP projects, under which bids deviating by more than 15 per cent from the estimated value will be rejected to prevent unsustainable practices.

It also introduced comprehensive guidelines for unsolicited proposals, including a formal Right of First Refusal (ROFR) mechanism. Under this provision, project initiators may match the winning bid if the difference remains within 20 per cent, or opt for reimbursement of development costs within defined limits.

The reforms are aimed at improving governance, boosting investor confidence and ensuring sustainable infrastructure development across the province.