SANGHAR, Oct 27: Some 624 tube-wells installed under the Left Bank Outfall Drain project have miserably failed to bring down the water table in the district. Wapda had launched a Rs30 billion project to lower the water table in Sanghar, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas and Badin districts and reclaim thousands of acres in these districts.

Hundreds of small drains connected to the main spinal drain were supposed to discharge saline water into the sea.

These tube-wells were electrified through enormous transmission lines but unfortunately the entire system is not in workering position.

Only in the Sanghar district, more than 400 out of 624 tube-wells are out of order.

Conductors worth million of rupees from feeders SR-1, SR-5, K-3 and many more have been stolen.

The tube-well machinery, motors and at some places even the transformers have been stolen.

Those tube-wells which are in working condition, were also not operated because the entire drain system is choked due to weed and grass in the channels. At some places there is no sign of drains altogether.

Though the Wapda had handed over the system to Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority but the condition became more worst. During the last local government tenure, the district council members had demanded to operate these tube-wells but the SIDA authorities did not bother to attend the district council session despite repeated calls.

MNA Haji Khuda Bux Nizamani had raised the issue in the National assembly but nothing happened.

The local farmers claimed that Rs30 billion have just gone down the drain.

Relief Camps: Relief camps to collect goods for the victims of earthquake have been established in the district by political parties, police, Rangers and social organizations.

Three trucks loaded with the relief goods were sent to the affected areas by the district police.

A large number of people were donating blankets, quilts and ghee. Hundreds of youths, who wanted to donate blood, had to return disappointed as there were no arrangements to collect blood.

District Nazim Haji Khuda Bux Rajar has also set up a camp at the Bachoo Badshah chowk.

He said that five million rupees will be collected by Tuesday for the victims. Sanghar DCO Wahid Bux Mahar said that thousands of government employees in 12 departments of the district would donate their one day salary.