Drain scheme not implemented even after five years

The scheme to increase siphon capacity of German Dhoro drain under KB Feeder Upper, Thatta, could not be started after a lapse of four years due to negligence and ill- planning of Sindh government officials, it is learnt. The scheme was to be completed by June 2008 and with that commitment the total amount of the scheme had been provided to the department.
Recently, the meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP), which met with Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Nazar Hussain Mahar in the chair, observed that the details of the scheme were not according to the PC-I format provided by the Planning Commission of Pakistan in December 2005, official sources in Irrigation and Power Department told Business Recorder on Thursday.
They said the scheme was approved with a cost of Rs 62.532 million, while the revised allocation for 2008-9 was Rs 56.912 million to complete this very important irrigation scheme. But, it was again revised by the irrigation and power department to Rs 86.539 million for this water sector scheme, they said.
The meeting also said that fresh revision was not justifiable and the concerned department should observe all required rules and regulations and ensure that no extra amount for cartage/material was given to the contractor after the award of the contract. Neither the scheme was prepared properly nor has it been checked by the concerned officials or the technical committee. Most of the columns have not been filled up properly, they added.
"The meeting decided to delete the cost of land acquisition and crop compensation which will be treated as contribution from beneficiaries as it was taken on the request of growers", they said.
According to officials, the discharge of siphon constructed under the canal at RD 133 of K.B. Feeder was about 600 cusecs, but now it had reduced to only 200 cusecs due to siltation. They said Kotri Barrage system had intercepted,with the natural drainage of German Dhoro line due to construction of KB Feeder Upper and Jheerukh Distry. A super passage under KB Feeder RD 133 had been provided to allow hill torrent flows into river Indus.
German Dhoro provides natural drainage line, which originates between the areas around National Highway in the vicinity of Oongar, Jheerukh site Jhampir and Nooriabad. Due to steep gradient, in the days of heavy downpour, approximately 3,000 cusecs of discharge was generated in a day, they said.