Karachi Faces Severe Water Crisis as Major Pipeline Breaks for Third Time
Karachi – A major 84-inch diameter water supply pipeline on University Road has ruptured for the third time, halting 70% of the city’s water supply. This incident has led to a severe water shortage across Karachi, causing significant inconvenience to residents.
The pipeline burst near the Karachi University area, reportedly due to ongoing construction work for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project. The Karachi Water Corporation spokesperson confirmed that the damage has disrupted the daily supply of 250 million gallons of water to the city.
Adding to the city’s woes, sewage water accumulation near Johar Mor on Rashid Minhas Road has severely impacted traffic flow. The congestion has caused a gridlock on the route leading from Johar Mor to NIPA.
“Negligence of Red Line Project Contractors to Blame”
Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab attributed the damage to negligence by contractors working on the BRT Red Line project. He emphasized that the University Road pipeline was damaged due to a lack of caution by the construction team, leading to the current water crisis.
In response to the incident, the Karachi Water Corporation has issued a letter to the CEO of TransKarachi, demanding Rs. 35 million in damages. The letter urges the BRT construction team to exercise greater care to prevent future disruptions.
City-Wide Struggles Due to Water Shortage
According to the Water Corporation spokesperson, the pipeline damage has caused widespread water shortages, further exacerbating challenges for Karachi’s residents. Reports have cited contractor negligence and poor coordination as the primary causes of the accident.
The spokesperson added that Rs. 35 million were spent on repairing the damaged pipeline and restoring the water supply. The city continues to grapple with limited water availability as repair efforts are underway.
This latest incident underscores the need for better coordination between development authorities and essential service providers to avoid similar crises in the future.
