Major Water Pipeline Damaged During Red Line Construction

Construction work on Karachi’s Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project damaged a major 55 inch water pipeline, disrupting water supply to several parts of the city for days, officials confirmed on Monday.

The pipeline was damaged near the old vegetable market when piling work struck the underground water main. The incident cut off water supply to Tariq Road, Bahadurabad, Lines Area, the Old City Area, Lyari, and several other neighborhoods.

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) said repair work is underway and expressed hope that water supply will be restored within 48 hours.

KWSC officials said contractors had been provided with maps showing the locations of underground utilities before construction began. However, incorrect piling alignment caused the damage to the 55 inch pipeline. Repair work has been complicated because crews first had to cut through a piling structure to access the damaged section.

Officials said the incident is part of a growing pattern, with water mains reportedly damaged at 10 locations over the past 15 days during Red Line and K IV augmentation project work along University Road.