October 23, 2001	Tuesday	Shaba'an 5, 1422

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THATTA, Oct 22: Unscheduled power breakdowns for the last about one-and-half month in Sujawal sub-division has made the lives of the people miserable, creating enormous problems for the population.

Over 132 rice husking units, 29 rice mills, six power pumping stations, 16 taluka hospitals and basic health units besides small tailoring shop, lathe machine shops, electric appliances repair shops have been the worst affected by the frequent power failures.

Grid and line operational staff told Dawn that the low resistance insulators, non-maintenance of copper wires and non-clearance of grid installations are the main causes of breakdowns.

The sources said that the 15KV insulators now in operation were incapable of bearing the increasing power load, suggesting their replacement with 33KV insulators on main line with an increase in the number of insulators from nine to thirteen.

At Sujawal grid station, the three OCBs (Oil Circuit Breakers) were not sufficient to bear the increasing load. Some one week back, taking the advantage of power failure, thieves cut off wires and took away 11KV cable measuring over 2,000 feet newly mounted on Bannu-Sujawal poll line.

Meanwhile, leaders of public opinion have criticized Wapda for not giving attention to the grid station at coastal town Laadion still which has been lying inoperational since its installation.

HIGHWAYMEN: Five highwaymen, equipped with sophisticated arms, intercepted vehicular traffic on Bannu-Jenhan Soomro road and deprived the passengers of a coaster (R-516) of their cash and valuables worth lac of rupees on Monday morning. The bandits also snatched a motorcycle and occupants of a Suzuki and vanished in the nearby thick woods. A case has been registered in Bannu police station against the unidentified culprits and further investigation was underway.