MUZAFFARGARH: The irrigation department has failed to take action against the people and housing scheme owners who are lifting sand from the bed of the river Chenab.

The river sand is used in construction of buildings. Many tractor-trolleys and trucks are seen lifting sand from under the bridge at Head Muhammadwala in the river Chenab while no officials has ever visited the place or took any action.

When contacted, the local people alleged the officials had been involved in corruption and allowing the truckers to lift sand illegally. They said the river Chenab had already eroded thousands of acres of land on its both sides there was lack of spurs in the area which could often be flooded by river water.

The truckers and tracker-trolleys owners said they had paid heavy amounts to the contractors to lift the sand.

The Irrigation Multan EXEN said the area was in the jurisdictions of Muzaffargarh district. Dera Ghazi Khan Irrigation Chief Engineer Mansoor said he had no knowledge of the matter, saying he would send his team to find out facts and taken action against those responsible.

Fakhar, a sub-engineer, claimed the land was not under the irrigation department while its owner, who was from the area, had sold sand to the contractors of housing scheme owners.

The locals, Bashir and Ghulam Muhammad, insisted the truckers were busy lifting sand from under the bridge and the area was under the control of the irrigation department.

Deputy Commissioner Engineer Amjad Shoaib Tareen has formed an inquiry team to probe the matter. He said he had asked the irrigation officials to submit land records and after confirming the jurisdictions, the land would be retrieved from the mafia.

Sources said the deputy commissioner had asked to EXEN Workshop Ch Mohammad Athar to submit his report within days.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2020