Wafaqi Mohtasib saves 54,000 acres of agri land in Balochistan

Islamabad

As much as 54,000 acres of agricultural land in Balochistan has been saved from complete devastation through intervention of the Wafaqi Mohtasib in response to a complaint lodged by the residents of Kamber Shahdadkot, Gandakha Tehsil Usta Muhammad Balochistan due to non-opening of the Siphons by Wapda at Shahdadkot for drainage of extra and salty water of the districts of Jacobabad, Kashmore, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad and Kamber Shahdadkot. 

Earlier, the necessary drainage project had been agreed by all the four provinces but the Government of Sindh was reluctant to open the Siphon which was causing the overflow of the thrown wastage turning into artificial flood affecting thousands of acres of agricultural land and a large population. 

The Prime Minister’s Office also took notice, on its own, of this situation and on the directive of the prime minister the matter was discussed between the two provinces and the Ministry of Water and Power and direction was issued for release the required funds for the drainage project. 

Secretary Ministry of Water and Power Mohammad Younus Dagha informed the Wafaqi Mohtasib that work up to 82.80 percent against the approved PC-1 cost of Rs4.485 billion for the underpass on RBOD-III project has been completed but the project could not be operationlised due to re-alignment issues on RBOD-III drain between the Government’s of Sindh and Balochistan on the assumption that the extension of the drain alignment could pose threat to Shahdadkot. 

The non resolution of issue had affected the population of over 25,000 people, 2,000 villages, 5,000 animals, 45,000 acres of agricultural land under artificial flood water, while land of Tehsil Gandakha measuring 9,000 acres fully productive agricultural land destroyed resulting in approximate financial loss of Rs1,500 million in 03 years and over 100 deaths. Approximately 35 to 40% of the population has migrated to other districts due to artificial floods and medical conditions. 

Wapda has been directed to open the Siphon at Saifullah Magsi Canal for the disposal of 165 cusecs drainage effluent of Usta Muhammad and its adjacent areas. Wapda completed the requisite works for opening of Siphon No.2 at Saifullah Magsi Canal-RBOD-III Project to allow 165 cusecs of drainage water from Balochistan. After completion of the requisite works, the Siphon has been opened and as a result the drainage effluent of the above mentioned area is being released; which eventually gave relief to the upper area of the Balochistan. After the implementation of said decision the temporary migrants have started returning to their native village.