Averting a crisis: Dhabeji pipeline repaired, water supply resumes

K-Electric exempts KWSB's main pumping stations from load-shedding on Wednesday

KARACHI: The 72-inch diameter trunk line at Dhabeji pumping station, which developed a fault on Tuesday, has been repaired and water supply to DHA and Clifton has been restored.

The K-Electric (K-E) also did not conduct load-shedding at the main pumping stations of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) including Dhabeji, Hub, NEK, Gharo and Pipri on Wednesday evening, said the water board spokesperson, adding that the main trunk line at Dhabeji has been repaired. "The problems have been solved and water supply has become smooth," he said.

The water crisis in the city began soon after the main trunk line was damaged as a result of unannounced load-shedding at Dhabeji pumping station. In the meantime, K-E insisted on carrying out load-shedding as the water board had failed to clear its dues while the water board officials claimed they have paid all the bills. On Thursday, the water board also sent a letter to the chief executive officer of K-E reminding him that carrying out load-shedding at bulk pumping stations was an act that amounts to contempt of court. The letter said that citizens of Karachi were the ultimate sufferers of this deliberate interruption of electric power by K-Electric during the past few days.

Any shutdown, without any prior intimation, is also damaging electrical instruments, machinery and pipelines causing losses worth millions of rupees, said the KWSB spokesperson. Precious water is also wasted during load-shedding, he added.

Meanwhile, the K-E spokesperson confirmed that they are no longer conducting load-shedding at KWSB pumping stations since Wednesday night. On the status of the conflict between the two organisations, he said K-E board members will meet and decide their future plan of action.

Under the agreement between the Government of Pakistan and the KESC at the time of its privatisation, the KWSB was declared a strategic customer and was exempted from any load-shedding.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2015.