HYDERABAD, June 29: The completion of the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project is likely to be delayed because of problems in acquisition of land and designing of eight bridges and other structures. The delay will lead to revision of the cost the project, Dawn has learnt. The project launched more than two years ago is due to be completed by Jan 1, 2006. But now it does not appear to be possible because of various reasons, including reservations of villagers that river water will get polluted and their land will be destroyed, non-payment of compensation to owners of land and delay in designing of bridges and other structures and acquisition of land.

After the completion of the first stage of the 273km drain from Sehwan to Gharo creek, 2,271 cusecs of saline water will be disposed of into the sea. After the remaining three stages, 7,900 cusecs will be discharged through the drain.

Army officials in the Project Support and Monitoring Team (PSMT) have been holding negotiations with the stakeholders in the area, who have apprehensions that their agricultural land will be destroyed.

Former deputy speaker of Sindh Assembly, Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, has demanded re-designing of the project in areas where it touches river Indus or seepage from it threatens historical sites in Amri.

Other problems relate to delay in acquisition of private land and non-payment of compensation where land has been acquired but award under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, has not been passed. Around 10,332 acres have to be acquired under the act for the project.

Fake documents have also been prepared by some people in collusion with revenue officials and in one case, according to Jamshoro District Officer, Revenue, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, a mukhtiarkar has been removed from his post on charges of malpractice.

The villagers complain that they are not being offered price for their land on market rates, while the officials concerned claim that they are following the Land Acquisition Act.

The villagers have been asked to get the award and then move a court if they are not satisfied with the price.

Another problem in payment of compensation is that many villagers don’t have the land record.

“Yes, the project has been delayed and its cost will be revised to a great extent, almost to double to the original,” said PSMT Coordinator Lt-Col Khalid Mateen. He further said the cost of land had increased and some heavy structures, including bridges, were to be built.

Army officials and Jalal Shah distributed cheques at an open kutchery in Sann among villagers whose lands had been acquired. “If things move transparently in the project the villagers will cooperate wholeheartedly.