LARKANA, June 13: The sewerage pipeline of the city, which was laid in 1972, may cave in at any time, as it has completed its life span.

The 36-inch diameter pipeline, having a life expectancy of only 10 years, was laid at a cost of Rs9.64 million to benefit a population of 100,000.

Sources in the Larkana Municipal Corporation (LMC) on Friday told this correspondent that with the pipeline’s life expectancy over, it may collapse at any time. It had been damaged at several places, including Bakrani Road, Civil Hospital Road and near the Taluka Nazim’s house. The LMC administration had these repaired.

Sources said that minor repairs could only just extend the life of the pipeline for a short period but could never be a remedy.

Sources said that as the population of Larkana City had grown to 365,000, three new phases of the sewerage system were sanctioned and completed by 1986 to cover the needs of the population. By then, the old sewerage system was already worn out and had been damaged at several places.

The DCO, Sabhago Khan Jatoi, the then commissioner of Larkana, called the staff from Sadikabad and had the sludge cleared from the main drain, giving the sewerage system some breathing space. But adhoc arrangements are never a step in the right direction.

Many roads, streets and lanes in Larkana can be seen inundated with sewage at all times. Not too long ago, Anaj Mandi, Fish Market, Vegetable Market, Main Bunder Road, Lahori Mohalla, Kusar Mills area and Naudero Road could be seen overflowing with sewage.