SEHWAN, July 24: Transporters doubled the fare for different cities from Sehwan as devotees of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, the most revered Sufi saint of the country, started returning to their homes after attending the three-day Urs which concluded on Saturday evening.

Nafees Ahmed said the fare from Sehwan to Sukkur, which was Rs300 before the Urs had now been raised to Rs600.

Driver of a Sukkur-bound bus, Gulzar Ahmed, said the fare had been doubled because of increase in fuel prices. He said he also had to pay bribe of Rs600 to 700 everyday to traffic police.

Death toll rises to 31: The number of people died of sunstroke or drowned in canals between July 18 and July 24 has risen to 31.

Some devotees complained about large-scale mismanagement during Urs.

Assistant Commissioner of Sehwan and member of the Mela committee, Hidayatullah Memon, said that about 1.8 million people had gathered in the town during the three days of Urs and the number of deaths during the Urs this year was low compared to last year.

According to Mir Ali Bux Talpur of the Edhi centre in Sehwan, 31 people had died of heatstroke or drowned during the Urs. Sixteen bodies remained unclaimed and were buried in a local graveyard, he said.

A number of people who stayed at different places in Sehwan faced shortage of drinking water and problems of sanitation supply and power as soon as the chief minister left Sehwan after visiting the shrine on Saturday.

A large number of people staying in Lal Bagh went to the shrine of Shah Bilawal Noorani.

The Urs concluded with a concert which continued till late night. Renowned singers presented songs, which were admired by people.

PPP MNA Nawab Ghani Talpur presented 70 Shahbaz Awards to artistes.