MIRPURKHAS: Commissioner Mirpurkhas Division Shahmir Khan Bhutto has directed the immediate commencement of lining work on Jarwari Minor and ordered its completion within six weeks, warning of legal action against those discharging sewage into the irrigation channel.
The directives were issued on Tuesday during a meeting attended by Deputy Commissioner Mirpurkhas Nawab Sameer Leghari, SIDA Managing Director Mansoor Memon, Mayor Abdul Rauf Ghori, the Director of Nara Canal, Assistant Commissioners Ghulam Hussain Kanahiyo and Muhammad Waseem Lashari, contractor Aamir Ali Sheikh and other officials. The deputy commissioner briefed the meeting on the minor’s condition, encroachments and related issues.
Officials informed the meeting that encroachments existed along both sides of an approximately 30-kilometre stretch of the minor extending to around RD 10.
The commissioner also directed the relevant departments to prevent illegal occupation and construction on government land, instructing the Sindh Building Control Authority to coordinate with the deputy commissioner and verify ownership documents before allowing construction. He emphasized that action against encroachments should protect public rights while safeguarding the irrigation system and public health. He also expressed concern that sewage disposal into the minor had exposed nearly 200,000 people to problems associated with contaminated water. The meeting was informed that illegal wastewater pipelines had been disconnected.
During a subsequent visit to the site, Bhutto reiterated the need to start lining work without delay, while officials assured him that work would begin by the end of the week. He directed the assistant commissioners to assist in resolving any difficulties during execution and called for effective coordination and regular monitoring to ensure the minor’s rehabilitation, uninterrupted water flow and prevention of pollution. He warned that negligence in protecting government land and waterways would not be tolerated.