Digging in Karachi for Red Line damages gas pipeline, disrupts supply

KARACHI: Gas supply to several areas of the metropolis was suspended during lunch hours on Saturday after a high-pressure pipeline was damaged during excavation work for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line on University Road, adding to the miseries of residents in the affected areas. The disruption affected Gulshan-i-Iqbal, areas around Mazar-i-Quaid, parts of Garden, Saddar, Burns Road and several other localities.

A spokesperson for the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) said that the high-pressure pipeline near the Gulshan-i-Iqbal telephone exchange on University Road was damaged at around 1pm during BRT construction activity. She said teams immediately reached the site and started repair work, which was completed by 5pm. “After completion of the work, gas supply was restored,” she said. Residents in the affected areas said the sudden suspension caused considerable inconvenience, particularly during cooking hours. Several households reported disruption in preparing afternoon meals, while commercial eateries and roadside hotels in Saddar and Garden saw a rush of customers as many people had no option but to dine out or take food home for their families. Domestic…