DADU: Substandard material is being used in the work of lining of Phaka Shakh (channel) which is progressing at a snail’s pace, making it next to impossible to cultivate paddy and vegetables this season, fear growers.

The growers told this writer on Wednesday during a visit to the 14 mile-long Phaka Shakh, which originated from Dadu Canal near Dadu city, that they had serious objections to the channel’s design and the material being used in the construction work.

Aftab Ahmed Bhand, a grower, complained that the pace of work was so slow that they feared they would not be able to cultivate paddy and vegetables this season if the work was not completed in stipulated period.

Another grower, Salahuddin, objected to use of substandard material and demanded strict vigilance of the lining work of the Shakh.

Mohammad Nawaz Jalbani said that growers of the channel were already facing acute shortage of water and the lining work had only added to their difficulties because the little water they were to receive had been stopped due to the work.

He feared the growers would not be able to cultivate cotton crop and seasonal vegetables.

Ali Hassan Chandio said that closure of irrigation water to the channel had created drinking water crisis in several parts of Dadu city and its adjoining areas and demanded immediate completion of the lining work and use of quality material in the work.

They demanded that water should be released into the Shakh till May 10 so that they could cultivate paddy and vegetables.

Dadu irrigation department superintendent engineer Sajid Ali Bhutto rejected the growers’ objections and said the department started the lining work on April 20 and planned to complete it within 12 months. It was aimed at reducing water losses and ensuring supply of water to the tail-end areas, he said.

He said that after completion of lining work, 146 cusecs water would be supplied to growers for cultivating crops and water would be supplied to parts of Dadu city for drinking. He said that the lining project worth Rs200 million was launched under Annual Development Programme funds. After completion of the work, the channel would irrigate 14,551 acres land and 20 per cent water losses would be saved, he said, adding it was ensured that all tail-end growers received their complete share of water.

He said that it had also been ensured that quality material was used in the lining work. He had not received any complaints so far about use of substandard material, said the official.

He said the lining work of three more channels, including Khudabad branch with a discharge of 39.30 cusecs, Pipri with a discharge of 15.90 cusecs and Bakhrani with a discharge of 35.90 cusecs would be completed.

He said that only six per cent work had been completed so far as the work started just 10 days before. He assured that as soon as water was released into Dadu Canal on May 10, it would be supplied to Phaka Shakh and arrangements would be made so that it did not affect the ongoing lining work.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2017