HYDERABAD, May 19: Representatives of a growers’ body have called for appointment of neutral consultants for supervision of works on the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) to ensure quality and transparency in the works. They conveyed their concerns to Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo in Karachi and Secretary Sindh Irrigation Babar Hassan Effendi on Thursday.

The growers were told that government was planning to appoint consultants in this regard and that water flows for Kharif season would improve by June 1.

Dr.Nadeem Qamar, president Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA), led the chamber’s delegation in the meeting that lasted for three hours in which a number of issues, including that of LBOD, water shortage, NDMA’s forewarning, rotation programme and unfair distribution of water were raised. The delegation called for cancellation of all direct outlets (DOs) and a ban on sanction of such DOs.

“Our member from Badin Mohammad Ali Shah had spoken about LBOD in detail as he had the most complaints. We were told by secretary irrigation that consultants would be appointed to supervise works on all drains, including the LBDO and a summary in this regard would be floated to Sindh chief minister”, said Dr. Nadeem. The irrigation department, it may be pointed out here, hasn’t appointed consultants as it was done in case of dykes’ repair works last year. The works in question that are taken in hand have to be completed by June 30 in the first phase.

According to Qamar, weakest locations of LBOD had been pointed out to irrigation minister and secretary which needed special emphasis coupled with quality of works so that these points are strengthened. “These RDs (reduced distance) are sixty in number (RD-290 to RD-350) which are the weak points”, he said.

LBOD wreaked havoc in 2011 devastating rains and in previous disasters that visited the area in shape of cyclone and rains. “Growers need complete focus of authorities on all such locations”, he said.

The meeting was informed that many siphons of LBOD pass through growers’ farm land which get a reverse flow when the drain fills to capacity. The minister was requested that flapper gates should be installed at the drain which would check reverse flow of water. Such gates are not that expensive. Growers pointed out around a dozen obstructions over LBOD which had been brought to the notice of the president and the prime minister as well.

They told the minister that the crest of DPOD (Dhoro Puran Outfall Drain) needed o be blasted by 6ft so that water could easily flow upto sea. “It was dismantled by 2ft but it didn’t serve the purpose so we have asked them to blast it off by six foot for smooth flow of water into sea”, SCA president said.

SCA office-bearer Zahid Bhurgari that at RD-295 Hota minor is a big obstruction and the issue could be resolved by fixing an iron pipe. He said that issue of water shortage and unfair distribution was also raised in the meeting. “Currently Kotri barrage’s command area’s tail-ends are not getting water,” he said. Likewise, Mithrao canal’s, according to secretary irrigation’s own statement, is having 92 per cent of water as per requirement but local irrigation staff claims that there is 70 per cent water shortage. Secretary irrigation told the delegation that water flows would improve by June 1.

But the secretary assured the growers that he would ensure required flows in Mithrao canal. Mr Bhurgari pointed out that regular of Mithrao canal, which was originally installed at RD-150, had been installed at RD152 under a consultant’s advice. “We requested that regulator should be fixed at its original location because at RD152 water’s velocity gets affected seriously,” he said.

The growers team raised the issue of DOs saying it had disrupted entire irrigation system. Irrigation water regulation is jeopardised. They underscored the need that all such DOs should be cancelled and no new one should be sanctioned in future. The SCA delegation was assured that two members, one each from SCA and the Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB), would be allowed to attend meetings of Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority (SIDA) Board as observers.

Sida Board is an important decision making forum of Sida where all irrigation-cum-agriculture issues are discussed by the Authority. They expressed concern over reports that India was planning seven rivers over River Indus, which they believe, would be in utter violation of Indus Basin Treaty. “Sindh will be badly affected in such case,” Bhurgari said.

Nadeem Qamar expressed concern over the way the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued the monsoon-related forewarning. “It would have been better had this warning was issued for internal management issues and not for public consumption so early as we still have two and half months to go for monsoon rains,” he said. According to him, the warning has caused panic among growers. The growers were already reluctant to go for Kharif season as they are scared of monsoon season amidst reports of heavy rainfall this year again.