Dhabeji outage triggers dispute between KE and KWSC

A power outage at the Dhabeji pumping complex in Karachi has led to a dispute between K-Electric and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). Both companies are presenting divergent accounts of the cause of the disruption that impacted the city's water supply. K-Electric claims a bush fire near the complex damaged KWSC's cables, prompting the power utility to dispatch emergency teams to resolve the issue.

According to a K-Electric spokesperson, another underground cable fault occurred subsequently, though electricity to 20 of the complex's 22 pumping motors remained functional. The utility asserts its teams promptly restored the affected connection. K-Electric also claims it shared an advisory plan with KWSC three months ago to bolster the water utility's electrical infrastructure and mitigate the risk of such incidents, awaiting KWSC's final response.

KWSC, however, disputes K-Electric's account, alleging the fire occurred in K-Electric's cables and attributing the power disruption to the pumping system and subsequent water supply issues. KWSC's spokesperson asserts K-Electric's statement misleads by blaming KWSC's infrastructure. The conflicting claims have brought attention to the reliability of the power infrastructure supporting the Dhabeji pumping complex, a vital part of Karachi's water supply system.

The incident also highlights the necessity for enhanced coordination and prompt infrastructure upgrades by both utilities to prevent power failures from disrupting water supplies to the city.