Burst pipeline inundates area, threatens businesses

The pipeline burst despite being repaired the previous day

KARACHI: A commercial road turned into a river when a water supply line with an 18-inch diameter burst on Nizamuddin Aulia Road in the Karachi Administration Employees Housing Society (KAECHS) in Mehmoodabad on Sunday.

Small repairs were done to the pipeline a day before and water was not supposed to be supplied through the line until Sunday night but water was pushed into it, causing the pipeline to break and flood the surrounding area.

Talking to The Express Tribune, MNA Syed Ali Raza Abidi, who was present at the spot, said this road was dilapidated and its repair was in the pipeline.

He added that he had asked the water board to make necessary repairs to the pipeline but he believed someone intentionally tried to malign his efforts to make a proper road here.

"Now we have started the drainage work and after that the water board will once again carry out the repair and we will continue with the road's carpeting," he explained.

Spokesperson of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Nazir Mateen, said they had repaired the pipeline a day before but due to the flow of water the repairs at the joint came undone.

He added that the water board would repair the pipeline in 24 hours.

Shopkeepers and residents were equally troubled by the incident, as the road leads to a commercial market and shopkeepers were worried about sales. A meat seller, Irfan, claimed the muddy road made it difficult for customers to reach the shops on Sunday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2016.