Repeated ruptures of water pipelines during excavation work for the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the K-IV water project, and road upgrades along University Road have left thousands of residents in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and adjoining neighbourhoods struggling for water. The incidents highlight a chronic lack of coordination among civic agencies, as development projects meant to modernise the city have become a source of daily hardship.
Major Pipeline Repairs Completed
Repair work on the 48-inch water transmission line damaged during Red Line construction near the University Road corridor has been completed, officials said on Sunday. Water supply through the line is expected to resume between Sunday and Monday night after safety assessments are completed. The major pipeline was ruptured on Friday night during ongoing Red Line construction activities, disrupting water supply to several localities, including various blocks of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, PIB Colony, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad and Gulberg.
Extent of Damage and Safety Concerns
According to officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC), the damaged section of the pipeline spans approximately eight feet. Officials said water has not yet been released into the line because the high pressure within the system could cause further damage if the repairs are not adequately stabilised. Additional time is therefore required before normal operations can safely resume.
Another Rupture at Hasan Square
Even as repairs on the main pipeline were completed, another disruption occurred on Sunday when a six-inch water line was damaged near Hasan Square during Red Line construction work. The incident affected water supply to Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block 13-D/3 and Baloch Goth. The latest damage follows a series of similar incidents in the same area.
Previous Incidents with K-IV Project
Just days earlier, two sections of a 15-inch pipeline were reportedly damaged during K-IV project work, further compounding water woes for residents. The repeated pipeline ruptures underscore the lack of coordination between development agencies and utility providers, leaving thousands without access to clean water for extended periods.
