'Sindhu Bachao Tarla' (Save Indus Struggle) has said that since its inception on May 10, 2005, the World Bank-funded Taunsa barrage remodelling project has created problems for the people of Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur districts.
The breach occurred in one of it's cofferdams on January 15, caused huge loss to area people, proving criminal negligence on part of authorities in fulfilling responsibilities. According to them, the cost of breach amounts to Rs 3 billions, which is almost one third of the total project cost.
SIS office-bearers Mushtaq Gadhi, Sadaan Bibi, Abdul Ghafoor and Fazal-e-Rab said the miseries of the area people multiplied as their subsoil water has turned into brackish. The remodelling project has deprived the area people of their basic right of getting drinking water, the criticised.
Due to canals' closure, per acre yield of different Rabi crops, particularly wheat and mango, have considerably decreased in Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts.
DG Canal is the only source of irrigation and drinking water for the people belonging to Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts. The underground water is very deep and brackish in these areas. They said the sufferings of farmers would further exacerbate due to the schedule of prolonged canal closure. Reduction in water discharge from Taunsa Barrage would also affect the farmers of Sindh, they warned.
They also questioned the technical, economic, social and environmental feasibility of $150 million worth remodelling project, which has affected the life and livelihood of the community.
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