Six non-functional disposal tube-wells in Marri village cause waterlogging in nearby land making it unfit for cultivation, farmers perturbed
Out of 16 disposal tube wells installed near Marri village of Mahotta Police Station limits, six are non-functional for the past six months.
These tube wells were installed during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s regime to drain out excessive water which is thrown into Sim nullahs (water logging drains) by the nearby farmers of various villages so that their lands can be cultivated. These tube wells are installed on the bank of RiceCanal and each tube well is fitted with 15 horsepower motor or above.
A visit to the site showed that one heavy duty 400 KV pole mounted transformer was also taken away for repair over two months ago but has not yet been installed, causing increased hardships for the farmers.
These tube wells are managed by the SCARP Division of Larkana under Irrigation Department.
A security official Rashid reportedly said that six motors, each of 15 HP capacity were also taken away by the SCARP officials for repair before his posting but the same have not yet been returned so that they could be installed and made operational.
He said that another factor which has adversely affected the smooth operation of these tube wells is frequent power outage as, according to him, only two hours electricity is supplied during 12-hour day shift but said that he was unaware of night shift duty.
Rashid further said that during these two hours, excessive water cannot be drained out due to which water continues to accumulate because of which the agricultural fields of so many landlords have been inundated.
Growers and villagers, Shams Shahani, Albelo, Hakim and others alleged that these tube wells were working smoothly few years ago but due to unknown reasons they have suddenly stopped due to which they have undergone huge losses before because of the fact that they cannot drain out excessive water into Sim nullahs which too were dug by the government for the benefit of the tillers.
They said that this year also they are facing the same situation which they cannot afford as hundreds of acres of land is at stake. They demanded the government to ensure working of these tube wells without loss of further time so that they can earn livelihood for supporting their poverty-ridden families.
