KARACHI, July 10: Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has expressed concern over the inordinate delay in the construction of a small water reservoir costing Rs2.7 million in Mubarak village.

The centuries-old and scenic coastal village, bordering Balochistan, is situated along Hawkesbay shore and has a population of 10,000 people, mainly fishermen community.

A statement issued by the officials of the Forum said the advent of monsoon and the intermittent rains already lashing the entire coastal belt posed a serious threat to the village and would play havoc with the populated area around the reservoir site.

They feared that there could be widespread damage in the village if protective measures were not taken on emergency basis.

The PFF office-bearers pointed out that the construction work on the project had been started on Sept 24, 2002 by the city government under the Drought Emergency Relief Assistance (DERA) to conserve rainwater as potable water. The project, they said, was to be completed in nine months but the work on it was abandoned soon after the completion of mudwall raising. The contractors did not resume the work due to non-payment of their dues, they added.