Broken pipe: KWSB blames KE for water shortage
Says citizens will be deprived of more than 150 million gallons per day over the next four days.
KARACHI:
The severe internal rift between K-Electric (KE) and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has once again become public after the main 72-inch diametre water pipeline under the Dhabeji pumping station burst for the second time and the KWSB blamed KE for it.
According to the KWSB spokesperson, KE's load-shedding has again led to excessive water pressure at its pumping stations, which has caused the pipeline at the Dhabeji station to crack and break. "During the next four days, the citizens will be deprived of more than 150 million gallons per day (MGD)," he said.
He added that the provincial local bodies minister, Sharjeel Inaam Memon, has taken serious notice of the ill-management taking place at KE. "The provincial minister conducted a detailed inquiry against the KE and if the power utility company is found guilty, he must demand an explanation of them," he said.
"If the KE does not exclude our pumping stations from load-shedding, the water shortage will worsen even further in the upcoming days," he warned.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for KE categorically denied KWSB's allegations. "Despite tall claims of working to improve the city, KWSB to date has not made any arrangements for backup supply arrangements, even for small power interruptions or surges at their pumping stations," he said.
"KWSB - who is also a defaulter of more than Rs29 billion - has as always exaggerated the situation and ceased its water supply to Karachi, and used the breakdown as an excuse," he said. "Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah should take serious notice of these baseless allegations from KWSB to malign KE."
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2014.
The severe internal rift between K-Electric (KE) and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has once again become public after the main 72-inch diametre water pipeline under the Dhabeji pumping station burst for the second time and the KWSB blamed KE for it.
According to the KWSB spokesperson, KE's load-shedding has again led to excessive water pressure at its pumping stations, which has caused the pipeline at the Dhabeji station to crack and break. "During the next four days, the citizens will be deprived of more than 150 million gallons per day (MGD)," he said.
He added that the provincial local bodies minister, Sharjeel Inaam Memon, has taken serious notice of the ill-management taking place at KE. "The provincial minister conducted a detailed inquiry against the KE and if the power utility company is found guilty, he must demand an explanation of them," he said.
"If the KE does not exclude our pumping stations from load-shedding, the water shortage will worsen even further in the upcoming days," he warned.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for KE categorically denied KWSB's allegations. "Despite tall claims of working to improve the city, KWSB to date has not made any arrangements for backup supply arrangements, even for small power interruptions or surges at their pumping stations," he said.
"KWSB - who is also a defaulter of more than Rs29 billion - has as always exaggerated the situation and ceased its water supply to Karachi, and used the breakdown as an excuse," he said. "Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah should take serious notice of these baseless allegations from KWSB to malign KE."
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2014.