KARACHI, May 26: Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has identified nine cases in different areas of the city where digging by the civic agencies has caused damage to gas pipelines and led to disruption in gas supplies.

Digging of roads and trenches in Landhi, Malir, Saudabad, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Manzur Colony and Stadium Road has also caused serious injuries and in one case resulting in the death of a company maintenance department employee.

SSGC has asked these agencies, who have to complete their projects on a fast track basis, to take necessary precaution and care during the digging process. “These agencies should have contacted SSGC before initiating the digging.”

Such agencies are using heavy-duty mechanical excavators indiscriminately in the city, causing serious damage to pipeline and cables laid underground by various utility companies along roads and in residential and business districts.

A spokesman for SSGC said that the company was willing to provide any assistance required by such contractors but could not allow irresponsible action during the construction work to inconvenience to its customers, leading to disruption of gas supplies or endanger human lives.