pakistan geographical review 1954 - University of the Punjab

influx of Muslims from India who have settled down in Sukkur. It is difficult
to say whether there will be any further increase in population, without any
expansion of the town, or in its industries. The population of the town has
increased to such an extent that under the present state of affairs it could not
easily provide accommodation or employment for an increased population until
expansion takes place in its economic resources and its built up area.
WATER SUPPLY AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
An important problem of the town dwellers was solved in the year 1895,
when the water works 'WdS started in th-e town. This water works lies on the
bank of the river Indus near the island of Bukkur. In its early stages water
was drawn from sunken wells, which were beneath the bank. It is now pumped
directly from the river. In order to r ernove the silt with whict the river water
is laden, the water is collected in the big collecting reservoirs, where much of
the silt settles at the bottom. From these reservoirs the water is carried to
the filteration plant and finally it is collected into masonary reservoirs from
where it is pumped into different tanks. The total capacity of all the six tanks
is -estimated at about 1,049,583 gallons. Later on, it is served through pipe
lines to the town. There are 5 main supply lines, running from these tanks to
the different parts of the town. The plant, being a small one, is not sufficient
to meet the town's entire requirements of fresh water. The average amount of
water at present supplied Comes to 2,400,000 gallons a day. The supply is
calculated to be 30 gallons per head daily. The water supply which is derived
from the Sukkur Water Works is of a high standard of purity. The water is
sedimented, filtered, and chlorinated with bleachin-g powder. Patterson's Rapid
Filters are in use.
There are open and shallow drains generally running on either side of
the roads which carry the sewage water into the main drain. There is also one
small sanitary works, which is quite insufficient for the task of water drainage
for the town. The open and shallow drains create insanitary conditions and
for this reasons many parts of the town are very dirty.
TRADE
The town of Sukkur, being situated in a very favourable position, has
attained the status of a 'mandi' or market town in the upper Sind. Being
located on the Indus and at the junction of the railways, it gathers up a greater
portion of the trade of the region than any other town in Sind except Hyderabad
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