§ Mr. SPOORasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the present position of the Sukkur barrage scheme; the estimated cost of this scheme; the amount already expended; to what extent the Government of India are financially or otherwise responsible for this scheme; and when it is expected that the whole scheme will be completed?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe estimated cost of the scheme is nearly 18½ crores of rupees or about £13,875,000. The amount expended up to 31st March last was about 5 crores or about £3,750,000. The greater part of this amount has been spent on preliminary work, including the acquisition of land, the provision of plant and the opening up of quarries. Considerable progress has also been made in the construction of canals. Work in the river on the barrage works has been commenced this season. The scheme was sanctioned by the Secretary of State for India in Council on the recommendation Of the Government of Bombay which was endorsed by the Government of India. The financial responsibility rests with the Government of Bombay, who are, however, obtaining the bulk of the required capital by loans from the Government of India. The date of completion must necessarily depend on a number of factors which cannot be foreseen, but it is hoped that the barrage and the main canals will be completed by 1931.