KARACHI - Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Friday attended a detailed briefing about project called "Bridge Over River Indus", connecting Larkana and Khairpur Districts at Chief Minister House. The briefing was also attended by Faryal Talpur, Zila Nazim Nawabshah, Sindh Minister for Irrigation & Power Saifullah Dharejo, Sindh Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs Ayaz Soomro, Sindh Minister for Works & Services Manzoor Hussain Wasan, Khurshid Junejo, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Nazar Hussain Mahar and others Chairman, National Highway Authority Abdul Waheed Khan said that the bridge connecting Larkana and Khairpur Districts starts from right side of River Bank Larkana side and ends at left side of River Bank Khairpur, as there is only a single crossing on river Indus between Sukkur to Jamshro at Moro (370 km) while AA Associates has carried out survey, investigations, engineering & feasibility reports etc. Highlighting the objective of project, Chain11an NHA said that purpose of project was to reduce distance between Larkana -Khairpur from 116 kms to 59.5 kms aimed at to establish link between N-5 with N-55 so as to improve environment, communication, enhance economic and agriculture activities with reduced driving stress. He further informed that on completion of project, Law and order situation in the area will be improved. According to silent features, he informed that the estimated cost of 1034.20 meter (length) Larkana-Khairpur bridge will be Rs.4.832 Billion having width of 21.8 meters, he said. Chairman NHA further informed that in all 23 grids would be established while 22 span will be constructed. The project has been W1dertaken (commenced) from 1st May 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 31st October 2009 (30-months). Abdul Waheed Khan informed that so far 51.10% progress has been achieved. The meeting discussed in detail about length, maintenance, I construction of spurs, study of designing, approach roads, and other aspects. Secretary Irrigation & Power stressed that Larkana side river bund might be ensured while National Highway Authority might be responsible for 10 years maintenance. He also objected that length of bridge is quite smaller and must be widened like Dadu-Moro Bridge while spurs might be added. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed to form committee headed by Sindh Minister for Irrigation & Power will come with some concrete proposal and suggestions within one-month time. The first meeting of committee will be held with in a week, while Khursheed Junejo will be the focal person. Chief Minister Sindh also asked the Chairman NHA to initiate work on road schemes of Ghaghar Phatak (Karachi) to Ali Bunder; Hyderabad to Mirpur Khas; Karachi to Hyderabad; SANN, Sakrand, Jherrak-Mulla Katyar; Nawab Wali Muhammad -Daulatpur -Sewhan road be early under taken, while old National Highway from Ranipur to Sukkur, Ghotki to Kandhkot road be initiated. He said that by construction of road and communication facility; the law and order situation will be maintained properly. He said that Indus Highway is a federal road, which must be maintained by National Highway Authority while the Authority should complete schemes in Sindh province. He said that Dadu- Bye pass and Sewhan to Ratodero road be completed. The meeting was also attended by Provincial Secretaries of Works & Services, Law Department, Irrigation & Power, Chief Engineer (Highways) Sindh; Chief Engineer (Development) Irrigation & Power Department, Secretary to Chief Minister Sindh and others.