Sindh bridge project overruns budget by 10 billion rupees

KARACHI, April 16: A bridge construction project over the Indus River between Ghotki and Kandhkot has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that the project's cost has ballooned to 19 billion rupees, despite an initial allocation of only 9 billion rupees.
According to media reports, documents show that the project's cost increased due to a combination of factors, including inflation and unforeseen expenses. In November 2021, a loan of 9.8 billion rupees was taken from two banks to initiate construction. However, in December 2021, an additional billion rupees were needed to manage small-scale floods in the area. In July 2023, the Sindh government secured another billion-rupee loan to keep the project afloat.
The Indus River Commission reportedly attributed the cost increase to inflation in November 2022. The Sindh Cabinet subsequently approved the revised budget and instructed negotiations with banks to secure additional funding. By July 2023, the total allocated amount for the project had reached 19 billion rupees.
Positive developments include the project being insured in February 2024 and construction work being expedited in January 2024. However, the significant cost overrun raises concerns about project management and planning.