KARACHI – For the fourth time in just two weeks, a major 72-inch diameter water pipeline burst at the Dhabeji Pumping Station, causing a significant suspension of water supply to several parts of the metropolis.
The incident occurred following a sudden power breakdown at the station. According to officials from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC), the surge in pressure caused by the power outage led to a rupture in Line No. 5. This forced the immediate shutdown of four major pumps, cutting off millions of gallons of water destined for the city.
Incident Details and Maintenance Concerns The primary cause of the burst was a sudden electricity failure that triggered a backpressure surge, which remains a recurring issue at the Dhabeji facility. This marks the fourth rupture in 14 days, raising serious concerns about the stability of the city’s water infrastructure. Sources within the corporation suggest that the use of substandard materials during previous repair works is a major factor behind these frequent collapses. A KW&SC spokesperson stated that repair work has commenced and is expected to be completed within 24 hours, after which supply will be gradually restored.
Public Outcry and Infrastructure Failure Residents across Karachi have expressed deep frustration over the persistent water shortage. Many citizens are questioning why the provincial government and K-Electric have failed to provide a stable, dedicated power feed to such sensitive and critical water installations. The repetitive nature of these bursts has put the KW&SC management under intense scrutiny regarding their maintenance protocols and the quality of engineering being applied to the city’s lifelines.
