Karachi Electric Supply Company has appreciated Pakistan Army’s efforts in averting the KDA Grid (Karachi) crisis the other day.
Chairman K-Electric Ikram Sehgal and CEO Moonis Alvi issued a statement on Wednesday expressing gratitude for the timely assistance from Pakistan Army and Pakistan Rangers which helped the company stop floodwater from entering KDA grid.
The emergency kicked in when the Lath Dam near Super Highway overflowed due to the torrential monsoon, and the floodwater entered the grid located at Gulzar-i-Hijri, Scheme 33. The 220 KW grid installation also serves as an interconnection point between KE and the national grid.
On the request of KE management, Pak Army and Rangers acted swiftly to stop the water from flowing into the grid station.
As per K-Electric spokesperson, “When the dam started to overflow Tuesday night, and the water entered the KDA grid, as an emergency safety measure KE was forced to suspend supply to feeders associated with this grid which affected power supply to parts of Sohrab Goth, Abul Hassan Isphahani Road, Super Highway, KWSB’s NEK Pumping station.”
The electric supply company mobilized all its resources and sent repair teams with pumps, sandbags, and other equipment to stem the inflow. However, the resources proved to be insufficient; thus, the Pakistan Army and Rangers’ help were requested.
The arrival of contingents of the Pakistan Army with heavy machinery, bulldozers and pumps helped avert a crisis.
He added:
Had water levels continued to rise the entire grid would have had to be shut down to ensure the safety of people and equipment, which given the criticality of this grid to KE’s network, would have affected power supply to several areas including Gulshan, Azizabad, Liaqatabad, Malir, FB Area, Surjani, Shadman, Johar and Shah Faisal.
He added that the Army and Rangers teams are still working in collaboration with K-Electric teams to do away with the threats. They are digging trenches and using sandbags to divert the flow.
KE said that the company was making all-out efforts to restore power supply to the affected areas at the earliest.
PakArmy Par Bolne Wale “Ab Shayad Andhe Ho Gaye Honge”
– Koi Governemtn ka Banda Nahi Aya
– Koi KMC Wale Nahi Aye
– Koi Aur Private Wale Nahi Aye
–
Pak Army Her Saal Yahi Karti hai Karachi Ka Pani Wahi Nikalti hai :
_ MaaaarJao Bhuttto
Kudos to Pak Army. Phir kehtay hain Army kia karti hay?
This issue is that the army gets a huge part of the budget, more than anyone else, so they can afford the training and equipment for these things. Corruption is present everywhere, in Karachis Electric Sector, in Islamabads Electric Sector and in the army, without a doubt. (Musharraf and Kiyani are just the tip of the iceberg)
But the army gets WAAAAAAY more in budget than anyone else, so they can be very corrupt and still have money left over for better equipment and training.
What we need is more of a budget for the civilian government, as well as transparency, both at once. In last years budget, more than 1 in 5Rs goes to the army. Health care, education, infrastructure get tiny fractions of 1rs.
We must remove emotionality and look at objective hard data.